MANILA on Tuesday accused China of intimidating Filipino fishermen near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea and normalizing its “illegal presence” after Beijing sent its biggest coast guard ship into the Philippines’  200-nautical-mile (370.

The Philippines is reporting erratic movement for the largest of China's coast guard vessels. The ship was spotted about 77 nautical miles off the north-western province of Zambales. Manila has warned of the impact on local fishermen.

The Philippines said China's deployment of its largest coast guard vessel inside Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was alarming and clearly meant to intimidate fishermen operating around a contested shoal in the South China Sea.

The Philippines said Tuesday it was alarmed by Chinese coast guard patrols which are growing closer to the country's shore.

The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest over the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels, including a “monster ship”, in its claimed exclusive economic zone, amid fears that Beijing wants to alter the status quo in the South China Sea.