Philippines Protests Over Chinese Vessels in Disputed Waters

Philippine navy's Davao del Sur (L) and frigate Alcaraz pariticipate in the amphibious landing as part of the annual Philippines and U.S. joint military exercises at the beach of Philippine navy's training camp in San Antonio, Zambales province northwest of Manila on May 9, 2018. Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images

MANILA—The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the presence of more than 200 Chinese boats near an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea, the president’s spokesman said on April 1.

President Rodrigo Duterte has pursued warmer ties with Beijing since taking office in 2016 in exchange for billions of dollars of pledged loans and investment.