The Philippines accused China on Friday of “dangerous harassment” of Filipino boats in the disputed South China Sea, including firing a water cannon. The incident is the latest in a series of tensions between the two countries over the region’s strategic waters.
The Philippines said the Chinese coast guard and other vessels “recklessly harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers” as they tried to obstruct a routine resupply of Filipino troops at an outpost on Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands. The Philippines also said that a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine boat.
China denied the allegations, saying that it “took control measures” against two Philippine transport ships and three coast guard vessels that it insisted were in Chinese waters.
The incident comes nearly three weeks after two collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to the same shoal.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 11, 2023
