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Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told foreign media that Philippines and its allies will take measures incase China restrict freedom of flights in the South China Sea (SCS).

According to an Associated Press (AP) report, Teodoro described Beijing’s growing aggression as “the greatest external threat” to the country’s national security.

Teodoro’s statement comes after confrontations between the aircraft of China against those from the Philippines, Australia, and the US. He added the move is “a very serious transgression of international law, which will demand our response.”

He said that “the Philippines will take a combination of measures singularly and with like-minded nations to counteract” such maneuvers from China. Saying that Manila and its allies have already formulated a contingency measure to respond to similar incidents.

“The greatest external threat actually is Chinese aggression, Chinese expansionism and the attempt by China to change the international law through the use of force or acquiescence…or its attempt to reshape the world order to one that it controls,” Teodoro added.

Earlier, China compared the South China Sea (SCS) dispute with the Philippines to a “shadow play” and warned that “those acting as others’ chess pieces are bound to be discarded.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a press conference talked about the issue between China and the Philippines.

“Wang Yi noted, at an international forum a few weeks ago, an official from a regional country noted that the frictions are like ‘shadow play,’ which is a vivid analogy,” the Chinese foreign affairs ministry said.

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines issued a statement saying that Beijing “will continue to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with law.”

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had “no legal basis.”

But, China has refused to recognize the decision.