Manila, Oct. 27 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not inclined to pursue economic retaliation against China amid escalating tensions over the West Philippine Sea, Malacanang said Tuesday, stressing that trade relations must be handled separately from efforts to protect the country's maritime interests.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement during a media briefing in Cagayan de Oro when asked whether the Philippines would consider retaliatory measures, such as banning the export of nickel or other products from Surigao del Sur to China, in response to reported Chinese economic threats.

"Hindi po ganyan mag-isip ang ating Pangulo. Ang Pangulo hindi po niya dinadaan sa parang magkaaway na mga bata (The President does ...