China’s forces shadow a Philippine navy ship near disputed shoal, sparking new exchange of warnings

By JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine navy patrol ship has been shadowed by Chinese forces near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The incident that happened Monday near Scarborough Shoal sparked a fresh exchange of accusations and warnings between the Asian neighbors. Chinese and Philippine security officials gave conflicting accounts of the encounter near Scarborough Shoal. China has had the shoal surrounded with its navy and coast guard ships since a tense standoff with Philippine vessels more than a decade ago.