The Philippines says it has executed a "special operation" to remove a floating barrier in the South China Sea.

The Philippines’ coast guard on Sunday said it monitored more than 135 Chinese “maritime militia” vessels “swarming” around the disputed Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea.

The Chinese boats were dispersed and scattered within the boomerang shaped Whitsun Reef, which the Philippines calls Julian Felipe Reef, around 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island, the coast guard said.

The Philippines has accused China of "swarming" a reef off its coast after more than 135 military boats were spotted in the South China Sea. The coast guard said the boats were "dispersed and scattered" in the vicinity of Whitsun Reef,