The Philippines deployed coast guard and fisheries vessels to protect local fishermen after a major confrontation with Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal. Over the weekend, more than 20 Filipino fishing boats operating inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone were shielded by two Philippine Coast Guard vessels and five Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources patrol ships. Philippine monitoring also documented six China Coast Guard vessels, around 20 Chinese maritime militia boats, and a nearby People’s Liberation Army Navy warship operating in the area.