The Philippines expressed "grave concern" on Sunday and demanded an explanation from China's ambassador over what it said was an increasing number of Chinese boats near the disputed Panatag Shoal in the South China Sea. A Philippines Air Force plane flew over Panatag Shoal, internationally known as Scarborough Shoal, on Saturday and spotted more boats than usual in a flotilla that China has maintained since seizing the shoal after a tense standoff in 2012, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

More Chinese boats spotted near PH shoal. (2016, September 5). Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A18.