Philippines: Chinese coast guard tried to block a Philippine government ship supplying fishermen. It is the second such incident near an atoll in the South China Sea in two weeks.
These incidents occurred near the Scarborough Atoll, controlled by China, but over which Manila and Beijing claim sovereignty. The Philippine boat, the BRP Datu Sanday, was supplying fuel to fishermen near the atoll when it was harassed by a Chinese coastguard vessel and three other Chinese vessels on February 22. Last year, clashes between China and the Philippines over reefs claimed by both countries resulted in collisions and Chinese ships firing water cannons.