Chinese maritime officials stopped a Philippine nationalist group "Kalayaan Atin Ito" (Freedom It's Ours) from planting a Filipino flag on the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Sunday.

The nationalist group's unsuccessful attempt to host the flag on disputed shoal came on the eve of Philippine's independence day, which is celebrated on June 12.

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A boat carrying 15 Philippine citizens and one U.S citizen was reportedly intercepted by Chinese coast guards early Sunday morning and the Filipino nationals were ordered to retreat.

Reports claim that five Filipinos jumped into the water and tried to swim towards the shoal. However, they were chased down by the Chinese coast guards, who managed to get hold of a camera and a bag, which contained a Philippines flag.

The confrontation is said to have lasted for nearly four hours before the nationalist group members decided to back off.     

"They refused to allow us to get near Scarborough Shoal," Joy Ban-eg, leader of the Kalayaan Atin group, told reporters. "There was a standoff until we decided to leave."   

Beijing immediately issued a response over Sunday's incident. "The Scarborough Shoal has been China's territory since ancient times," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. "We urge the Philippines to respect China's sovereignty and refrain from taking provocative actions."

However, there has no response from the Philippine side yet. Philippine defense and military officials refused to comment on the issue.

The latest standoff comes as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague is set to deliver judgment on the South China Sea dispute.

The case, filed by Manila, challenges China's claim over the maritime region. Since the judgment is expected to go against China, Beijing has categorically stated that it would neither participate nor accept the ruling.

TagsChina and Philippines, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea, Kalayaan Atin Ito