MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine coast guard says it has deployed three vessels to secure a government oil survey ship that reported being harrased by two Chinese patrol boats near a disputed area of the South China Sea.
Coast guard chief Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo said Saturday that two vessels with divers and medics on board and a surveillance vessel have been sent to patrol waters off the southwestern province of Palawan and assist the government-contracted ship on a seismic survey in the strategic area.
The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest with China and demanded an explanation for the incident Wednesday near the disputed Spratly Islands that are claimed by the Philippines, China and other nations
