MANILA — The Philippines will make a significant move on China's continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea, an official from the National Security Council (NSC) said Wednesday.

Speaking on ANC, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now weighing the recommendations put forward by the security council at a high-level meeting in Malacañang.

Their recommendations, Malaya said, came after the harassment of Filipino scientists and researchers by a Chinese helicopter in Sandy Cay in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday — the latest in a string of harassment by Beijing inside Manila's exclusive economic zone.

"Let us give the president enough time to weigh all of the options, and I am sure that some concrete action will be taken very soon in response to this Chinese aggression," Malaya said.

"We will not be deterred by any of these actions (by China), and we are always prepared to find a peaceful and diplomatic solution to these problems," he added.

Filipino scientists in Pag-asa Island 'harassed', injured by China aircraft: BFAR

Despite China's harassment, Malaya said the marine resource assessment by Filipino scientists in Sandy Cay "was a success."

"They were able to stay there for more than 4 hours and there [were] able to make their scientific study," Malaya said.

Also on Saturday, Chinese vessels again water cannoned a civilian vessel chartered to resupply Philippine troops on the BRP Sierra Madre.

The military said the China Coast Guard directed water cannon at the Unaiza May 4 — a ship that had previously been damaged by water cannon while on the same mission.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the water cannon caused severe damage to the civilian supply boat and injuries to Filipinos on board.

China claims a large part of the South China Sea, including parts within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea.

Philippines says three soldiers hurt by China water cannon\

China Coast Guard used water cannon on resupply boat — AFP