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.

Growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea are reaching a boiling point, Manila officials say.

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.

China has pushed Philippines “to the wall” leaving it with only drastic options to stop intimidation, official adds.

The Philippines has expressed concern over China's deployment of its largest coast guard vessel within Manila's exclusive economic zone, viewing it as an act of intimidation against local fishermen near a contested shoal in the South China Sea.

Officials warned that ‘all options are on the table’ for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits.