Filipino Warship Tangles With Chinese

Chinese surveillance boats blocked a Philippine warship from arresting Chinese fishermen who had crossed over into what Philippine officials assert to be their waters. Albert Del Rosario, the foreign secretary for the Philippines, demanded that the Chinese resolve the tension peacefully, but as of Wednesday morning, the two countries were still at an impasse. Philippine sailors boarded the Chinese vessels on Tuesday, finding large amounts of illegally procured coral, giant clams, and live sharks inside at least one of the boats. Last year, the Philippines also accused China of interfering in the nearby Spratly Islands. The Chinese have in the past asserted sovereignty over the area, which is believed to be rich in gas and oil.