Filipino fishermen should continue their activities in the country’s exclusive economic zone as Philippine naval and air assets are keeping a close watch on the China Coast Guard’s “monster ship,” which was sighted near Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro yesterday.

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

The Philippines has deployed military and coast guard resources to monitor a large Chinese coast guard vessel in its exclusive economic zone, labeling the ship's presence as intimidation. Relations between the Philippines and China have strained due to frequent maritime disputes,

A Chinese navy helicopter hovered over a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel as China's monster ship lingered in Philippine waters. Footage shows the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) aircraft with tail number 47 circling above the PCG BRP Cabra monitoring the gargantuan China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 some 70 nautical miles off Zambales province on January 7.