By JASON GUTIERREZ
MANILA — The Philippines’ biggest warship was locked in a standoff April 11 with two Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, reigniting tensions in a decades-long dispute over the resource-rich waters.
The Philippine government said the Chinese ships were blocking efforts by its navy flagship vessel to arrest Chinese fishermen that were found on the weekend to have illegally entered its territory.
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| Gregorio del Pilar (US Coast Guard Colors) |
In a dramatic day of diplomacy, the Philippines summoned the Chinese ambassador in Manila and lodged a formal protest, but China insisted it had sovereign rights over the area and ordered the Philippine warship to leave.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino said he was looking to end the standoff through diplomatic means.
“No one will benefit if we have violence,” he told reporters.
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