China's coast guard has accused a Philippine vessel of deliberately ramming one of its ships near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South china Sea. The Philippines denied the claim, saying Chinese forces used water cannons that damaged its ship and injured a crew member, reported CBS News.
The Chinese coast guard said more than 10 Philippine government vessels approached the shoal, known in China as Huangyan Island, from multiple directions. It said water cannons were deployed to repel the ships.
The incident occurred six days after China declared part of Scarborough Shoal a national nature reserve. The Philippines, which refers to the area as Bajo de Masinloc, lodged a diplomatic protest.
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint between China and the Philippines, with both countries asserting claims over the region's strategic waters and rich fishing grounds.
The Philippine coast guard said two Chinese ships targeted the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang with water cannons for nearly 30 minutes, causing damage to the captain's cabin and bridge. A shattered window injured a crew member, and water caused electrical short circuits affecting five air-conditioning units.
A Chinese navy warship also issued a radio warning of live-fire exercises at the shoal, prompting panic among Filipino fishermen, according to the Philippine coast guard.
Philippine coast guard and fisheries vessels were deployed to the area to deliver supplies to over 35 fishing boats.
In August, a Chinese navy ship collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel during a high-speed pursuit of a Philippine patrol boat. A similar incident was witnessed by CBS News in September 2024.
The recent maritime clash has heightened safety concerns and raised questions about US involvement in the region's tensions.
Several countries have voiced support for the Philippines. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned China's actions as coercive. The UK, Australia and Canada also criticised the use of environmental protection to assert control over Scarborough Shoal.
The Trump administration has backed the Philippines in its dispute. In March, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Mr Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila's defence.
SeaNews Turkey
The Chinese coast guard said more than 10 Philippine government vessels approached the shoal, known in China as Huangyan Island, from multiple directions. It said water cannons were deployed to repel the ships.
The incident occurred six days after China declared part of Scarborough Shoal a national nature reserve. The Philippines, which refers to the area as Bajo de Masinloc, lodged a diplomatic protest.
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint between China and the Philippines, with both countries asserting claims over the region's strategic waters and rich fishing grounds.
The Philippine coast guard said two Chinese ships targeted the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang with water cannons for nearly 30 minutes, causing damage to the captain's cabin and bridge. A shattered window injured a crew member, and water caused electrical short circuits affecting five air-conditioning units.
A Chinese navy warship also issued a radio warning of live-fire exercises at the shoal, prompting panic among Filipino fishermen, according to the Philippine coast guard.
Philippine coast guard and fisheries vessels were deployed to the area to deliver supplies to over 35 fishing boats.
In August, a Chinese navy ship collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel during a high-speed pursuit of a Philippine patrol boat. A similar incident was witnessed by CBS News in September 2024.
The recent maritime clash has heightened safety concerns and raised questions about US involvement in the region's tensions.
Several countries have voiced support for the Philippines. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned China's actions as coercive. The UK, Australia and Canada also criticised the use of environmental protection to assert control over Scarborough Shoal.
The Trump administration has backed the Philippines in its dispute. In March, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Mr Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila's defence.
SeaNews Turkey
