“The Philippines has protested the pursuit, ramming, encirclement, tracking and blocking of vessels, the use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons and other aggressive actions against Philippine government vessels by the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Navy,” the statement said.
Manila said it had summoned China’s deputy ambassador, Zhou Zhiyong, over the April 30 incident in which the Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against two Filipino ships off Scarborough Shoal, damaging one.
“China’s aggressive actions, especially with the use of water cannons, have damaged the PCG [Filipinų pakrančių apsaugos] and BFAR [Filipinų žuvininkystės ir vandens išteklių biuro] ship The Philippines has demanded that the Chinese vessels immediately leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity,” the statement said, using the shoal’s Filipino name.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Manila and Beijing have long had territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and there have been several clashes between Filipino and Chinese vessels in recent months, 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.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Tuesday that China’s coast guard had taken “necessary measures” against Philippine ships that violated Beijing’s territory.
The measures “were in accordance with the law and the situation was handled professionally,” Lin Jian said, citing transcripts released by the Chinese embassy in Manila.
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 summoned Chinas envoy water cannon Philippine ships
