China ships harass PH Navy vessel in WPS

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from expelling Asian migrants including Filipinos to war-torn Libya after an emergency appeal from the would-be deportees' lawyers.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Two Chinese warships and a coast guard vessel sailed dangerously close to the Philippine Navy's BRP Emilio Jacinto in what could be Beijing's latest provocative act in waters where Philippine and US forces had just capped joint military exercises.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the Emilio Jacinto was on patrol near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday — in support of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources — when the Chinese vessels closed in and made dangerous and unsafe maneuvers. The AFP condemned the Chinese action, saying it endangered lives at sea.