MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday that a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel "made multiple attempts" to ram a Filipino-manned vessel.

PCG said China's CCG-3302 vessel continued to engage in dangerous maneuvers against the BRP Cabra.

According to the PCG, due to the BRP Cabra's superior maneuverability, the CCG had to use a smaller, faster vessel (CCG-21612), to further attempt to ram the Philippine vessel.

"Despite these aggressive actions, the professionalism, composure, and seamanship of the PCG sailors have successfully outmatched the reckless tactics employed by the two China Coast Guard vessels. The BRP Cabra continues to shadow and challenge CCG-3302, demonstrating unwavering resolve in the face of intimidation," PCG said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the PCG also reiterated that they remain steadfast in "upholding its duties and responsibilities in safeguarding the nation's maritime interests."

China claims most of the South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and its coast guard has clashed repeatedly with that of the Philippines. - with a report from Agence France-Presse