A Philippine security official warned "all options are on the table" for Manila's response to growing South China Sea aggression, including lawsuits.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday morning Asian time. Marcos' communications office said the leaders "agreed to enhance and deepen economic, maritime and technology cooperation."

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.

A Chinese coastguard ship patrolled Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday pushing the Philippines “to the wall,” and prompting Manila to consider international lawsuits.