Philippines spots suspected Chinese ships at disputed atoll
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A Philippine official says he spotted five suspected Chinese coast guard and navy ships in a disputed atoll in the South China Sea and fears Beijing will take control of another area frequented by Filipino, Vietnamese and Malaysian fishermen.
Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., who heads a Philippine-claimed region in the disputed Spratly Islands, said Wednesday he saw the Chinese ships at the Jackson Atoll for two days in a row last week while flying in a plane over the area.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is trying to verify the reported Chinese presence and a local newspaper report that the Chinese ships recently prevented Filipino fishermen from approaching the area.
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Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysian, Taiwan and Brunei have conflicting territorial claims in the Spratlys.