Philippines say it protested China ‘harassment’ of navy boat

After Chinese ships deployed a helicopter that flew close to a Philippine vessel carrying supplies to Filipino marines at a disputed shoal on May 11.

In this May 13, 2018 photo provided by China’s Xinhua News Agency, China’s indigenous aircraft carrier lifts anchor in Dalian in northeast China’s Liaoning Province. The Philippines says it is taking diplomatic action to protect its South China Sea territorial claims, after China landed bombers on one of the islands it controls. (FILE)

Officials say the Philippine government has quietly protested after Chinese ships deployed a helicopter that flew close to a Philippine navy boat carrying supplies to Filipino marines at a disputed shoal this month.

Two Philippine officials said on Wednesday that the navy personnel on board the rubber boat were unharmed in the May 11 incident and proceeded to deliver the supplies to marines on board a grounded Philippine navy ship at Second Thomas Shoal, which has been guarded by Chinese forces.

Duterte not too happy with episode

One of the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the incident publicly, said the Philippines and China recently held talks to prevent a repeat of the incident, which earned the “displeasure” of the Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte.