Manila, Jan. 29 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supports a "firm with diplomacy" approach in dealing with the rising war of words between Philippine and Chinese officials over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute, Malacanang said Thursday.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Marcos is aware of the ongoing back-and-forth between Filipino officials and the Chinese embassy, which has resulted in calls from lawmakers to declare certain Chinese diplomats persona non grata (unwelcome).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the declaration of persona non grata is "one of the most severe forms of diplomatic action" that can be imposed by the government against foreign diplomatic personnel, and should just be "an option...