MANILA, Philippines — Chinese coast guard and militia vessels harassed Philippine ships in back-to-back incidents in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea in April, according to a US think tank. ADVERTISEMENT“China is creating risks of collision on purpose to coerce the Philippines,” Amti director and Southeast Asia expert Gregory Poling told the Inquirer over the weekend. Chinese militia vessels pose as fishing boats but are usually deployed with the CCG to enforce China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China claims the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines, China, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia have overlapping maritime claims in these waters.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 30, 2022 09:01 UTC