MANILA- China's deployment of long range bombers on disputed islands in the South China Sea is a "clear and present danger to the Philippines, former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez warned Sunday.

Golez said Beijing's recent move in the disputed waters should prompt President Rodrigo Duterte to convene the National Security Council to assess how to handle the situation.

"Yes, I could see that this is a clear and present danger to the Philippines and our friends in the area," he told ANC in an interview.

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He added that the landing of bombers is too big an escalation of the tension in the South China Sea for the Philippines to ignore and predicted that more bombers would be deployed in the Spratly islands next.

"I strongly recommend for the Philippines finally to lodge a very strong diplomatic protest dahil masyadong matindi ang development na ito," Golez said.

China's air force said the bombers are part of a training exercise in the disputed region to improve their ability to "reach all territory, conduct strikes at any time and strike in all directions."

• China air force lands bombers on South China Sea islands

The United States has dispatched warships to disputed areas of the South China Sea in a bid to challenge China's extensive sovereignty claims in the territory, which is subject to various claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, and Malaysia.

Since assuming office, President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained a soft stance on the Philippines' maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea.

He has repeatedly stressed that antagonizing China would not do the Philippines any good, as it cannot match the Asian nation’s military power.

• Duterte: What’s the point of questioning Chinese planes?

Golez also reminded that government of the importance of national security saying "it cannot be compromised" for economic gains.

"We cannot compromise our territorial integrity," he said.

- with a report from Reuters