Manila, April 21 -- A Philippines naval official on Monday refuted claims that the Chinese military had driven away a Philippine naval vessel, which, according to Beijing, had illegally intruded into the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that China's claim is just part of Beijing's "malign information or shaping operations more likely intended for their internal audience."

He added that only the Philippine Navy and the country's maritime law enforcement vessels have the authority to challenge foreign ships intruding into the country's maritine zones, the news outlet said.

A spokesperson for the Chinese military's Southern Theat...