MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and Chinese coast guards simulated a firefighting situation as part of the latter's week-long port call in Manila. China Coast Guard Vessel 5204 arrived in Manila earlier this week to conduct joint maritime drills with the Philippine Coast Guard. In an activity Wednesday morning, the two coast guards exercised search and rescue operations and firefighting in the waters off Manila. The PCG received the report of the ship on fire and coordinated with the Chinese vessel to establish a hotline of communication. Ryan Martinson, assistant professor at China Maritime Studies Institute, described the activity of the Chinese coast guard ship as "menacing" Philippine troops stationed on the shoal.

Source: Philippine Star January 15, 2020 07:41 UTC