Philippines says keeping ‘options open’

The Philippine defence department yesterday said it was keeping "all our options open" as a diplomatic row with Beijing grows over hundreds of Chinese vessels in the contested South China Sea. 

More than 200 Chinese boats emained at Whitsun Reef, in the Spratly Islands, where China and the Philippines have rival claims. 

China has refused repeated appeals by the Philippines to withdraw the vessels.

The comments from Manila came after the United States reminded China of Washington's treaty obligations to the Philippines in the event of an attack in the waters.