Philippines says its coast guard ship and supply boat are hit by Chinese vessels near disputed shoal
Philippine officials say a Chinese coast guard ship and a militia vessel separately bumped a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run supply boat off a disputed shoal MANILA, Philippines -- A Chinese coast guard ship and one of its militia vessels separately bumped a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run supply boat Sunday off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea “in dangerous, irresponsible and illegal actions,” Philippine officials said. They did not say if there were injuries or damage from the two incidents off the Second Thomas Shoal, where there were two naval faceoffs in August. The Philippine government condemned the latest confrontation in “the strongest degree” and called it a violation of Manila’s sovereignty. Chinese Embassy officials did not immediately comment on the Philippine report. A Philippine government task force said the collisions occurred as two Philippine supply boats escorted by two Philippine coast guard ships were heading to deliver food...