<span style="color: #222222;">Amidst escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, the Philippines' South China Sea task force has said that they are deploying more ships and aircraft to protect maritime territory and resources in the nation's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).<br />'' <br />''The statement added that the Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered authorities to continue sovereignty patrols, and intensify operations against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in its territorial waters.<br />'' <br />''The Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests over Chinese activities in the South China Sea, with the latest accusing its neighbour of illegal fishing and massing more than 240 boats within its EEZ.</span><br />'' <br />