The Philippine Coast Guard sent off crew members of two multi-role response vessels that will patrol the country's territorial waters.

The South China Sea dispute and counter-terror efforts were among the topics discussed during Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's meeting with his US counterpart Tuesday.

The ship, which has yet to be named, is Beijing's second carrier and will add massive firepower to its navy once it is officially put into service as it faces tensions with self-ruled Taiwan and regional neighbors around the disputed South China Sea.

Thirteen fishermen from Bataan remain missing after their fishing boat sank in Recto or Reed Bank in the West Philippine Sea last week.