Philippine Coast Guard

The new PCG Commandant will be critical for sustaining reform and the Philippines' maritime security approach.

The Philippine Coast Guard described China's installation of the barrier at Scarborough Shoal as "a clear violation of international law.”

The "floating barrier" is intended to prevent Filipino fishermen from accessing Scarborough Shoal, a China-occupied feature in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard claims that a Chinese vessel used a high-powered water cannon in order to prevent the resupply of the Philippine forces stationed on Second Thomas Shoal.

Philippine officials say such joint exercises with U.S. forces do not target any country. But Beijing says increased U.S. security deployments in Asia target China and undermine regional stability.

The statement from Washington followed another near-collision between Philippine and Chinese ships in the South China Sea.

Manila's coast guard has taken extra efforts to document and publicize assertive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea.

A spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard said it was a "certainty” that joint patrols would resume in the near future.

The alleged incident took place close to Second Thomas Shoal in a disputed part of the South China Sea.

The head of the PCG announced that it would increase sea patrols and overflights to defend the country's maritime claims.

The new outposts reinforce the presence of Filipino troops in the hotly contested Spratly archipelago.

The Philippine Coast Guard claims that Chinese vessels have maneuvered dangerously close to Philippine ships on four occasions over the past year.