MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines said on March 4 that it had spotted a Chinese navy ship and dozens of militia vessels around a contested Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea, as territorial tensions mount in the area.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated that 42 vessels believed to be crewed by Chinese maritime militia personnel were seen in the vicinity of Thitu Island, while a Chinese navy vessel and coast guard ship were observed “slowly loitering” in the surrounding waters.
