China accused of using sonic weapon against US ally

China's maritime patrol ships deployed a suspected sonic weapon against Philippine government vessels on Saturday as they sought to obstruct a Philippines supply mission.

The assault using unspecified "acoustic devices" allegedly inflicted "severe temporary discomfort" on Philippine crew members, Manila said, and was accompanied by sustained water cannon blasts as well as maneuvering that risked a collision.

The incident happened near Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contentious features in the Philippines and China's long-running territorial feud in the South China Sea since the latter achieved facto control there in 2012 by force.