Officials say more than 400 people, half of them from China, were arrested by Philippine authorities in a raid on a suspected online gambling and scam hub in a busy commercial district in Manila

The United States condemned the "dangerous" manoeuvres of a Chinese navy helicopter that endangered the safety of a Philippine government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, its ambassador to Manila said on Wednesday.

Disputed South China Sea airspace that Beijing claims as its own falls within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where the Philippines and other countries enjoy freedom of overflight.

Manila's coast guard said the Chinese navy helicopter performed dangerous flight maneuvers when it flew close to a government aircraft conducting surveillance over the Scarborough Shoal

Former Chinese deputy foreign minister Fu Ying says Beijing will not accept occupation of a World War II-era ship that Manila grounded in the area.

Manila is shoring up military partnerships with other nations as it seeks to counter Beijing in a South China Sea dispute.

The incident marks the second confrontation this week between Manila and Beijing over disputed South China Sea islands.

The NHCP denounced the false claim circulating in Chinese social media Rednote that the island of Palawan once belonged to China.

Beijing's ambassador to Canberra said Friday he would not apologize for surprise Chinese naval drills near Australia that forced dozens of commercial flights to change course.

The Philippines and Japan pledged to enhance their defense alliance through training exercises, logistical activities, equipment transfers and intelligence sharing on Monday amid China’s assertive moves in the South China Sea.

Japan’s expanded military ties with the Philippines are a logical progression of its ties to the United States.