Chinese vessels surge around Philippine-held outposts in South China Sea

MANILA, Oct 8 — China’s military and coast guard presence in South China Sea waters claimed by the Philippines nearly doubled last month, Manila said Thursday. Beijing claims most of the strategic waterway despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships have in some cases led to collisions resulting in injuries and damage. In September, Manila monitored 101 Chinese navy and coast guard ships around Philippine-garrisoned Thitu Island and Second Thomas Shoal, as well as off Sabina Shoal and Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal. That was nearly double the previous month’s total…