(FILES) This file photo taken on May 14, 2019 shows a Philippines' coast guard ship (R) sailing past a Chinese coast guard ship during a joint search and rescue exercise between the Philippines and US coast guards near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. - The Scarborough Shoal fishing ground, tapped by generations of Filipino fishermen, is one of many potential flashpoints for military conflict over the South China Sea. China and Taiwan both claim sovereignty over almost the entire sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims to parts of it. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) / TO GO WITH China-Xi-congress-Philippines-fishing, FOCUS by Allison JACKSON

Chinese Ships Harass Philippine Vessels off Scarborough Shoal

Read more about the ongoing harassment of Philippine vessels by Chinese ships off Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The vessels, BRP Datu Sanday, BRP Datu Bankaw, and BRP Datu Tamblot, were bombarded by water cannons and continue to be harassed. They were engaged with CCG 3302 and 3305 and four China maritime militia ships for three hours. This incident highlights the tensions between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the disputed area. The Philippine vessels were on a supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the area.

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