MANILA: The Philippines may have caught a rare break under US President Donald Trump's latest tariff impositions, and it is hoping to turn that into an edge.

Analysts suspect China's fleet of civilian research ships also gather intelligence on behalf of the People's Liberation Army.

Tensions rise as Philippine Navy accuses China of aggressive actions near Scarborough Shoal, escalating maritime standoff in the South China Sea.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

The public relations company accused of being tapped by the Chinese embassy in the country to do social media operations in favor of China has denied that such a contract

China claims most of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 international tribunal decision largely dismissing those claims. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila has pushed back against Chinese maritime forces patrolling deeper into the Philippines' internationally recognized maritime zone.

InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. on Tuesday said Senator Francis Tolentino should be “circumspect” in his allegations, saying this could affect relations between the Philippines and China.