MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday dismissed China's latest warning against the Philippines amid the growing maritime tension between the two countries.

"Filipinos do not yield," DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said, a day after Chinese defense ministry spokesman Wu Quian blamed the Philippines and the United States for the tension in the West Philippine Sea.

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China had also claimed that Philippine "harassment and provocations are the immediate cause of recent escalation of the South China Sea issue."

Quian said Philippines violated international law and the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea by counting on the support of external forces. He also accused the Philippines of frequently infringing on China's sovereignty, making provocations and troubles, and spreading misinformation to mislead the international community.

He then warned that the Philippines is "straying further down a dangerous path," adding China "will not allow the Philippines to act willfully." 

Quian said the Philippines should realize that "provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere."

Quian made these statements following China's recent harassment of a Philippine resupply mission to the Philippine-held Ayungin Shoal, causing injuries to three Philippine Navy personnel.

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The Philippine government denounced China's latest harassment, vowing to make adjustments to prevent similar incidents. China has justified its act, accusing Philippines of violating its sovereignty.

Andolong said the statement of the Chinese ministry statement "clearly reflects their isolation from the rest of the world on their illegal and uncivilized activities in the West Philippine Sea."

"It also shows the inability of the Chinese Government to conduct open, transparent, and legal negotiations. Their repertoire consists only of patronizing and, failing that, intimidating smaller countries," said Andolong.

He dismissed claims that Philippines is the one causing trouble in the West Philippine Sea.

"The world has seen and knows that the Filipino people are not aggressors. We will never seek a fight or trouble. Neither will we be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience," said Andolong.

"We do not yield. We are Filipinos," added Andolong.