1.   The two boats then exchanged heavy fire and the Chinese vessel unsuccessfully tried to ram the Philippine gunboat, the military said.

2.   A sailor on a small Philippine gunboat scanned the turquoise waters to the horizon Saturday as a search helicopter checked nearby beaches where Western tourists frolicked.

3.   In one incident, a Philippine gunboat engaged a suspected Chinese vessel but cut short its pursuit after running out of fuel and bullets.

4.   China on Friday denied allegations that a Chinese vessel had been involved in a clash this week with a Philippine navy gunboat in the South China Sea.

5.   Last year, Philippine naval gunboats skirmished with suspected Chinese vessels off Subic Bay.

6.   The incident occurred after the Philippine gunboat, which had been on patrol in the area, fired warning shorts at the two intruders.