MANILA, Jan. 31 -- The National Security Council (NSC) on Friday expressed its support to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call to China to respect the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and cease its "aggressive and coercive behavior" in the vital waterway.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, in a statement, stressed that Manila has always pursued "peaceful and diplomatic measures consistent" with its desire to de-escalate rising tensions in the WPS.

"As directed by the President, our actions in the WPS remain compliant with international law and established norms of cooperation and diplomacy. We see this as contributory to peace and stability in the region, which will benefit not only th...