Manila has ordered Beijing to recall 183 boats from the boomerang-shaped reef about 320km west of Palawan Island. MANILA: The Philippine military ordered the deployment of more navy ships to the South China Sea on Thursday amid a growing diplomatic row over a fleet of Chinese boats parked near a disputed reef.
China says the fishing boats are sheltering from poor weather near the reef, which it claims is part of the contested Spratly Islands.A spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the additional navy ships would carry out"sovereignty patrols" in the waterway.The diplomatic row has escalated with several countries, including Canada, Australia and Japan, expressing concern over the renewed tensions in the region.
He has repeatedly said conflict with China would be futile and that the Philippines would lose and suffer heavily in the process.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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