Philippines to beef up defenses against South China Sea threats

MANILA -- The clear and present maritime threat from China in the South China Sea is compelling the Philippines to step up its newly-announced defense strategy and modernization of its arsenal.

China made headlines on Tuesday last week when it intercepted vessels belonging to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine Coast Guard, which had about a dozen journalists -- including one from Nikkei Asia -- on board.