Philippines likens Chinese action in disputed sea to piracy after armed dispute

Chinese Coast Guard hold knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal (Armed Forces of the Philippines/AP)

A Philippine military chief demanded on Wednesday that China return several rifles and equipment seized by the Chinese coastguard in a disputed shoal and pay for damages in an assault he likened to an act of piracy in the South China Sea.

Chinese personnel on board more than eight motorboats repeatedly rammed, then boarded, two Philippine Navy inflatable boats on Monday to prevent Filipino navy personnel from transferring food and other supplies, including firearms, to a Philippine territorial outpost in Second Thomas Shoal, which is also claimed by Beijing, according to Philippine officials.