The Philippine Coast Guard rescued distressed fishermen trapped in choppy seas.

The BRP Cabra vessel was sailing through the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea when it received an emergency call from the stranded villagers on June 1.

The crew sailed to the coordinates some 40 nautical miles away and found the FFB John John boat experiencing engine trouble amid rough waves.

Footage shows coast guards towing the stalled wooden boat while a China Coast Guard ship was seen lurking nearby.

In a statement, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: 'Swiftly responding to the situation, the crew of BRP Cabra navigated through challenging weather conditions to reach the distressed vessel. At 1 PM, BRP Cabra successfully arrived at the location of the fishing boat and is now towing it safely back to Subic Port, Zambales.

'This maritime patrol operation highlights the unwavering dedication of the Philippine Coast Guard to safeguard national maritime interests and ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen, even in adverse weather conditions.'

The PCG said it had issued a radio challenge to the Chinese ship to assert the Philippines' territorial claims over the contested area.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.