Manila, May 7 -- A maritime expert on Tuesday supported President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s stance rejecting the use of water cannons by Philippine vessels to retaliate against China's continued harassment in the disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a radio interview, University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director Jay Batongbacal said a retaliatory move by the Philippines would only meet a harsher response from China.

"Sa akin tama lang na alam natin na mas marami silang water cannon. Kahit gumanti ang isa nating water cannon, tatapatan nila ng apat o anim. Hindi ko nakikita kung saan 'yun patungo, other than makita na gumanti tayo (In my opinion, that is just right because China ...