Footage appears to show a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel reportedly trespassing into waters near a Philippine island. The CCG vessel was spotted sailing some 54 miles off the Capones Island in Zambales province on Saturday (4 January).

The Philippines has deployed air and sea assets of its military and coast guard in its exclusive economic zone to monitor China's largest coast guard vessel, calling the ship's presence an act of Chinese "intimidation,

China has accused the Philippines of repeated encroachment in its waters. China with its largest navy in the world claims most of the South China Sea, a key conduit for $3 trillion of annual ship-borne trade, as its own territory, with a massive coast guard presence in and around the EEZs of neighbours Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

THE PHILIPPINES on Tuesday said it views with alarm the presence of China’s largest coast guard ship within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), vowing to continue sea patrols. “We view it with concern,

The Philippines has accused a giant Chinese coast guard vessel it dubbed as the “Monster” of maintaining an “illegal presence” in its exclusive economic zone as Beijing ramps up activities in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra (MMRV-4409) is “vigilantly” monitoring the illegal presence of a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship continuing to operate for the fourth day within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Malacaang expresses "grave concern" over the presence of China's so-called monster ship off the coast of Zambales, adding that the Philippines is actively challenging its presence.

Observers interpret the presence of the 165-metre vessel near Scarborough Shoal as a warning to Manila about its military ties with the US.