A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel intended to "ram and collide" with a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel during its maritime patrol at Bajo de Masinloc on Monday, PCG said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea said that "CCG-21612 in the vicinity of 132.97 west southwest off Capon Grande, Zambales, or approximately 36.35 S off BDM (Bajo de Masinloc), the Chinese Coast Guard increased its speed and maneuvered past the port side of the BRP Cabra, dangerously blocking its navigation route"

"They really intend to ram and collide with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel and again because of the seamanship skills of our commanding officer who is a female officer and her crews, we were able to prevent the China Coast Guard from directly ramming our Coast Guard vessels", Tarriela told reporters in an ambush interview.

Tariella said the incident "highlights the CCG's non-compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and reflects a blatant disregard for safety at sea".

"While Coast Guards are typically recognized as enforcers of maritime safety and humanitarian organizations, the actions of the People's Republic of China diverge from these norms. Their illegal patrols jeopardize the lives of fishermen and legitimate law enforcement agencies alike", he added.

Meanwhile, the PCG again monitored a Chinese research vessel roughly 78.21 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of Tuesday morning.

In a forum, Tarriela said that during their last Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) last week with media personalities, the Chinese research vessel was outside the country's EEZ.

Tarriela said that Chinese research vessel Zhong Shan Da Xue is conducting marine scientific research within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) based on its reversed D navigational pattern that was last monitored since April 3.

"The crew of the PCG Islander attempted to establish radio communication with the vessel multiple times, but there was no response", he added.

The Chinese research vessel left Guandong Port on March 31 and entered the country's EEZ on April 2. Marie Manalili/DMS