MANILA, April 18 -- Senator Francis Tolentino on Thursday reminded the Chinese government that the Philippines has all the right to engage in joint military exercises with other countries within its sovereign territory.

The lawmaker issued the statement after China's foreign ministry warned the Philippine government that bringing in other countries "to show off their force" in the South China Sea and provoke confrontation would worsen tensions in the area.

In a Zoom interview, Tolentino emphasized that the Philippines' actions, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is "valid under the international law."

"Wala silang magagawa dun. Karapatan po natin yun. Pwede rin naman silang magkaroon ng sarili nilang military exe...