Philippine President Benigno Aquino III told reporters Monday that the Philippines will not back down from China's airspace claim over the South China Sea, which China has declared as a no-fly zone.

Philippine military and commercial jets will continue its activities above the disputed South China Sea, according to Aquino,  

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"We will still fly the routes that we fly based on international law and the various agreements and treaties we have entered into through various decades," Aquino told reporters outside the Philippines' capital, Manila, after being asked about the Philippines' response to China's claims.

"We will still exercise our rights over our exclusive economic zone. The bottom line is we will defend our rights to the best of our abilities," he added.

Despite the strong claim, Aquino also said that he believes China would still show restraint in its military actions, reported The Straits Times.

After acknowledging the large difference between the two Asian country's military strengths, he said China will only damage its image if it continues showing aggression to the Philippines.

"We would not want to think that one nation will single us out because it has yet to declare an ADIZ covering routes that our carriers use," said Mr. Aquino.

An ADIZ, or Air Defense Identification Zone, is airspace over land or water where the identification, location, and control of civil aircraft is required in the interest of national security. It extends beyond a country's airspace to give the country more time to respond to foreign and possibly hostile aircraft.

Aquino made his statement following the latest military activity of the United States above the disputed waters, causing more tension between the two superpowers.

Last week, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft flew over the airspace of the Spratly islands located in the South China Sea, provoking Chinese communication to tell the U.S. jet eight times to leave the area. Later, the Chinese foreign ministry made a statement maintaining its sovereignty over the disputed waters, maritime features, as well as airspace.

China has been taking consistent aggressive actions to assert dominance over the South China Sea, which include coastal areas near the Philippines and other areas of its Asian neighbors.

Over the past two years, parts of the Spratlys, which is situated between Vietnam and the Philippines, have been turned by China into airstrips and other military facilities.

Aquino maintained discretion when it came to revealing details of contact between the Philippines and its military ally, the United States, reported local media Philstar.

Meanwhile, the United States is continuing to defy China, maintaining that the South China Sea airspace is for international use.

Philippine aircrafts have recently flown above the disputed waters, including the skies where the United States' P8 jet flew recently, said Colonel Enrico Canaya, Air Force Spokesman of the Philippines. He provided no further details.

For now, the Philippines' civil aviation authority said local carriers still continue to fly in the internationally recognized air lanes, according to The Economic Times.

TagsPhilippines south china sea, President Benigno Aquino, Manila, ADIZ