BEIJING (AP) — China’s coast guard accused the Philippine ship of deliberately plunging one of its ships on Tuesday near the contested Scarborough shawl in the South China Sea. The Philippines denied it, saying that Chinese troops used powerful water cannons that injured the ship and injured the crew.
More than 10 Philippine government vessels from various directions have entered the waters around the shallow waters known as Huang Gian Island in China, according to a statement from the Chinese Coast Guard. It said it deployed a water cannon against the container.
The encounter comes six days after China announced it had designated part of the Scarborough Scholl as a national nature reserve. The Philippine government, known as Shoal Bajo de Masinloc, has submitted a diplomatic protest.
China and the Philippines repeatedly collided around an outcrop in the South China Sea. China is making a claim almost entirely. The two countries are one of several countries that have competing claims against the territory of the waters that are strategically important and home to valuable fishing grounds.
The Philippine Coast Guard said two Chinese Coast Guard vessels collided with the Philippine fishing vessel BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, and “consequently, they “resulted in “serious damage” of nearly 30 minutes, including the captain’s cabin and bridge. Glass windows were shattered and injured personnel, but the massive flood of water caused short circuits affecting electrical outlets and five outdoor air conditioning units.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese Navy warships also broadcast a radio notification saying they would “present practical exercises” in shallow waters that caused panic among Philippine fishermen.
The Philippine Coast Guard and fishing vessels were deployed in shallow waters on Tuesday to provide fuel, water, ice and other aid to more than 35 fishing vessels in the area.
Several friendly countries support the Philippines with nature reserves.
A statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio called China’s actions “still another forced move to promote broad territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors.”
The UK and Australia also expressed concern, saying the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines opposed attempts to use environmental protection as a way to control conflict-based Scarborough shawls.
