A Philippine security official says China is “pushing us to the wall” with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea and warned that “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits.

Summary

The Philippines accused China of escalating aggression in the South China Sea after a Chinese coast guard vessel patrolled near Scarborough Shoal and approached 77 nautical miles from the Philippine coast.

The Philippines denounced this as an “unacceptable” provocation, with officials vowing not to back down and warning of possible new international legal action.

China defended its actions as lawful and warned against further “provocation.”

Manila has strengthened alliances with countries like Japan to counter China’s defiance of the 2016 Hague ruling invalidating its territorial claims.