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.

MANILA: 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,

The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that two years of escalating "confrontation" in the South China Sea have persuaded the Philippines that "going head-on against Beijing is not viable." "We cannot go toe to toe with China,

The National Security Council on Monday said the presence of China’s “Monster Ship” in the country’s exclusive economic zone was part of Beijings continuing intimidation, coercion, aggression, and deception in its territorial row with Manila over the West Philippine Sea.