MANILA, Feb 14 (Reuters): The Philippines will beef up its naval presence in the South China Sea to protect its fishermen, its new military chief had announced recently, as concerns grow about the operations of China's coastguard in disputed waters.
The move comes after the Philippines protested a new law in China that allows its coastguard to board or open fire on foreign vessels in waters it regards as its territory, which officials said could heighten risks of a miscalculation.
