Philippines says a coast guard ship and supply boat were rammed by Chinese vessels at disputed shoal

By JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials say a Chinese coast guard ship and an accompanying vessel rammed a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run supply boat near a contested shoal. The encounter has heightened fears of an armed conflict in the disputed South China Sea. A top Philippine security official told The Associated Press there were no injuries among the Filipino crew members and the damage to both vessels was being assessed. The incidents occurred near Second Thomas Shoal, where China has repeatedly tried to isolate a Philippine marine outpost. China’s sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea have raised tensions. The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, condemned the incidents.