May 08 U.S. and Philippine forces sink mock enemy ship in disputed South China Sea By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press Washington and Beijing have been on a collision course over China’s increasingly assertive actions to defend its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea. Continue reading
Apr 12 U.S. and Philippines step up strategic partnership as China threats loom in South China Sea By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The U.S. and Filipino foreign and defense ministers and national security advisers met to discuss strategic and military issues Friday. Continue reading
Dec 10 Philippines says Chinese coast guard used water cannons against its vessels for 2nd day By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The Chinese coast guard targeted Philippine vessels with water cannon blasts Sunday and rammed one of them, causing damage and endangering Filipino crew members off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine officials said. Continue reading
Nov 11 Chinese ships block, pursue Philippine vessels as U.S. renews warning it will defend its ally By Jim Gomez, Joeal Calupitan, Associated Press As a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flew in circles, keeping a close watch, dozens of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships chased and encircled Philippine vessels in the latest confrontation in one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the South… Continue reading
Oct 22 Philippines say Chinese boats rammed vessels in disputed waters By Jim Gomez, Associated Press A top Philippine security official said there were no injuries among the Filipino crew members and an assessment of the damage to both vessels was underway. Continue reading
Aug 23 2 Philippine supply boats breach Chinese coast guard blockade in hotly contested South China Sea By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press It's the latest flare-up from territorial disputes in the busy sea that has become a delicate fault line in the U.S.-China rivalry. Continue reading
Apr 27 Chinese coast guard ship blocks Philippine patrol vessel in new stand-off By Jim Gomez, Associated Press A Chinese coast guard ship blocked a Philippine patrol vessel steaming into a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing a frightening near-collision in the latest act of Beijing's aggression in the strategic waterway. Continue reading
Mar 24 China threatens ‘ serious consequences’ over U.S. warship actions near disputed island By David Rising, Associated Press China is threatening "serious consequences" after the United States Navy sailed a destroyer around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea for the second day in a row. Continue reading
Feb 18 Philippine President Marcos says China laser not enough to activate U.S. defense pact By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The Philippine president said Saturday the Chinese coast guard’s use of military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of the crew aboard a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defense… Continue reading
Feb 13 Philippines accuses China of using military-grade laser against coast guard vessel By Jim Gomez, Associated Press According to the Philippines, the Chinese ship also maneuvered dangerously close to block the Philippine patrol vessel from approaching one of the disputed islands last week. Continue reading