A Philippine marine uses binoculars to show a Chinese Coast Guard ship, astatine a pier connected the Philippine-occupied land of Thitu successful the disputed South China Sea.
Ted Aljibe | Afp | Getty Images
The Philippines accused Chinese maritime forces of utilizing h2o cannon and ramming a Filipino vas adjacent the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, calling the actions a "clear threat" that escalates tensions successful contested South China Sea waters.
The Philippines Coast Guard said 3 Filipino vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were anchored adjacent Thitu Island, locally known arsenic Pag-asa Island, aboriginal connected Sunday arsenic portion of a authorities programme to support section fishermen erstwhile Chinese ships reportedly approached and utilized h2o cannon to intimidate them.
An hr later, a China seashore defender vessel allegedly fired its h2o cannon straight astatine the BRP Datu Pagbuaya earlier ramming its stern, causing insignificant harm but nary injuries, the PCG said.
Manila's seashore defender and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vowed to proceed their operations successful the area, saying their beingness is indispensable to safeguarding the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.
China's embassy successful Manila did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.
Tensions betwixt China and the Philippines implicit the South China Sea person been rising done the year, peculiarly implicit the Scarborough Shoal, a premier sportfishing ground.
China claims astir the full South China Sea, a captious waterway for much than $3 trillion successful yearly ship-borne trade, parts of which are besides claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
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