China faced backlash from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a civil-society group after it reportedly issued a new order allowing the arrest of "trespassers" into the areas it claim in the South China Sea.

According to reports, the China Coast Guard (CCG) released Order No. 3 authorizing the detention from 30 to 60 days of foreign nationals trespassing into the waters under Beijing's jurisdiction, including those overlapping with the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), without trial. It will take effect in June, reports added.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS), said China cannot implement its domestic laws within the Philippines' territory, so the order is deemed illegal.

"They can enact all domestic laws they want but on our perspective, this is just an empty threat," Tarriela said in a television interview over ANC on Friday, May 17.

The official said that the new rule does not conform with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Further, he said the 2016 arbitral award has been very clear in invalidating the nine-dash turned 10-dash line claim of China over the disputed waters.

"This is just a way for China to threaten civil-society (groups) not just here in the Philipoines but among other claimant-states," Tarriela said.

Atin Ito Coalition, a civil-society group which launched a supply mission in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea earlier this week, condemned China's order and labeled it as a "desperate move to undermine the growing and effective active citizenship of Filipinos asserting their rights in the region."

"China’s threats on so-called trespassers in the West Philippine Sea are a clear indication of their desperation. It is China which is trespassing in our seas. These threats are not only a violation of international law but also an admission by China that our peaceful, civilian-led initiatives are effective and winning the hearts and minds of many in the global community," Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David said in a statement on Saturday, May 18.

David viewed China's order as a direct response to Atin Ito's civilian supply missions.

She emphasized that the increasing active citizenship among Filipinos in the WPS is a growing and viable model of defending the country's sovereign rights and territorial integrity.

"China's attempt to intimidate and deter Filipino citizens from exercising their rightful activities in the WPS will not succeed. Instead, it further galvanizes our resolve to stand up for our rights and freedoms," David said.

"The international community must recognize and condemn these aggressive tactics by China, which are designed to stifle legitimate civilian movements and maintain their militarized presence in the WPS," she added.

Last May 14, Atin Ito held its second civilian supply mission where it successfully conducted a solidarity and peace regatta of 100 small fishing boats within the country's EEZ; placed symbolic WPS markers and distributed essential supplies, including fuel and food packs, to Filipino fishers operating in the area.