Manila and Beijing have a long-standing territorial dispute in the South China Sea, and in recent months there have been several clashes between Filipino and Chinese vessels, including the use of water cannons by Chinese coast guard vessels.
The latest incident occurred near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal, which has become a potential hotspot during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen.
“This damage is evidence of the high water pressure used by the Chinese Coast Guard in attacking the Filipino vessels,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement.
In addition, China’s coast guard has re-installed a 380m barrier blocking access to the shoal, a traditional fishing spot, the statement said.
China’s coast guard, for its part, said it expelled two Filipino vessels from its waters near Huangyan Island. This is the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring the claims of other Southeast Asian countries and an international arbitration ruling that found its position unfounded.
The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, lies 240 km west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 km from Hainan, the nearest large part of China’s territory.
China seized the shoal from the Philippines in 2012 and has been sending its coast guard and other ships there ever since. They, Manila says, attack Filipino boats and prevent fishermen from entering the fish-rich lagoon.
Tuesday’s incident took place during major annual military exercises between the Philippines and the United States, much to the chagrin of Beijing.
Tags: Manila Chinese Coast Guard water cannon Philippine ships
