Philippines National Security Council spokesperson said Manila was surprised by China’s ‘increasing aggression’.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of intimidating its fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal, and normalizing an “illegal presence,” after Beijing sent its largest coast guard vessel into Manila’s maritime zone.

The Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards exchanged radio challenges as a Chinese monster ship continued to lurk near the Southeast Asian country's coastline. Video shows crew of the Philippine ship BRP Gabriela Silang issuing a warning to the massive China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 seen sailing 70 nautical miles off the Philippine province of Zambales on January 15.

The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday said that China's "monster ship" deployed off Zambales in Luzon was so far Beijing's closest vessel yet to the Philippine coastline.

A massive Chinese "monster" ship has come extremely close to the coast of the Philippines, alarming Manila and increasing tension in the South China Sea.