China warned the Philippines to stop provocative actions that heighten tensions in the South China Sea following its Multilateral Maritime Cooperative activity (MMCA) with United States and Japanese forces in the West Philippine last week.

Tian Junli, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command spokesperson emphasized that troops of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert to resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and national security, and to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Tian accused the Philippines from colluding with countries outside the region for so-called "joint patrols," spread illegal claims about the South China Sea, and undermined peace and stability in the region.

"We solemnly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop provoking incidents and engaging in actions that heighten tensions in the South China Sea," Tian said, while adding that seeking external support would prove futile.

"Any attempt to stir up trouble or disrupt order in the South China Sea is doomed to fail," he added.

After China announced its plan to establish a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, National Maritime Council (NMC) Spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez assures that the Philippines will continue to patrol and help the Filipino fishermen in the area while encouraging other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) states to support the country.

"We will also encourage other ASEAN neighboring countries to support our aspirations because they will also be affected as that place is very rich, it is where the fish lay their eggs and where most of the fish from the West Philippines Sea comes from," he said.

"That’s why they are involved here so they should join and they should also sympathize with our cause," he added. Robina Asido/DMS