‘Substantial increase’ in South China Sea patrols by Philippine vessels: US think tank

• Philippine law enforcement or military vessels paid 57 visits to waters around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal in the past three months – compared to seven visits in the 10 previous months, says US think tank ATMI
• The patrols are also visiting more contentious areas. One expert says this shows a Chinese militia’s ‘swarming’ of Whitsun Reef was a wake-up call for Manila