Philippines accuses China of using water cannon on its vessels for a second day
The Philippine Coast Guard said the vessels were delivering fuel to fishermen and reported no injuries as the standoff deepened.
- On Thursday, July 23, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that the China Coast Guard used water cannons and "dangerous maneuvers" against two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships during a mission at Scarborough Shoal.
- Located over 100 nautical miles from the Philippines, Scarborough Shoal—also known as Bajo de Masinloc—remains a disputed high-tide elevation where China has controlled access since 2012 despite falling within the Philippines' EEZ.
- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships BRP Datu Dumangsil and BRP Datu Paiburong were delivering fuel subsidies to Filipino fisherfolk when the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed both vessels completed their mission without injuries or damage.
- China's Coast Guard stated they took "necessary measures" to track and intercept the vessels, calling their actions "standard, professional and lawful" while reaffirming sovereignty over the disputed shoal.
- This incident follows a clash earlier this week at Second Thomas Shoal; on Wednesday, foreign ministers from both nations exchanged protests on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting regarding these maritime encounters.
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72 Articles
South China Sea Controversy: Why is China Using Water Cannons Against Philippine Vessels Again?
The Philippine Coast Guard condemned the back-to-back incidents at Scarborough Shoal as "dangerous and unprofessional," while China's coast guard said it was enforcing lawful control measures against vessels operating illegally in its claimed waters.
The Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of firing on Friday on a Philippine government ship with a water cannon near a disputed reef, marking a third maritime clash between the two countries this week.
In the South China Sea, Chinese coast guard ships fired powerful water cannons at two Philippine fishing boats on Friday, the third such incident in the disputed waters this week.
Philippines says ship hit by Chinese water cannon at disputed reef
The incident at Scarborough Shoal, which took place during an attempt to resupply Filipino fishermen, came as top diplomats wrapped up a Southeast Asian regional forum in Manila. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, including the flashpoint shoal, despite an international ruling that its assertion lacks any legal basis. The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday that the Chinese vessel conducted a "reckless" manoeuvre, coming within seven met…
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