Share this @internewscast.com

The Philippines on Tuesday accused China of “unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers” in a disputed area of the South China Sea, saying Chinese ships had fired water cannons at one of its vessels, injuring some crew.

China’s actions put “into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening of tensions,” a Philippine task force on the South China Sea said in a statement.

Philippine vessels which were carrying out a resupply mission for Filipino troops near the Second Thomas Shoal were “harassed (and) blocked” by Chinese maritime militia and coast guard ships, which fired water cannons that shattered the windshield of one of its boats, causing minor injuries to at least four crew members, it said.

The Chinese coast guard’s “reckless” and “illegal” actions also led to the collision between a Chinese and Philippine ship, with the latter sustaining “minor structural damage,” Manila’s coast guard spokesperson said separately.

But China laid the blame on its neighbor, saying Philippine ships had illegally intruded into waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal, which it calls Renai Reef, so it had to take control measures.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which includes the Second Thomas Shoal, and has deployed vessels to patrol the disputed atoll which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The shoal, known in the Philippines as Ayungin, is home to a small number of Filipino troops stationed on a rusting warship which Manila grounded there in 1999 to reinforce sovereignty claims.

“The on-site operation was professional and restrained, reasonable and lawful,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular news conference.

“China once again urges the Philippine side to stop maritime violations and provocations and refrain from taking any actions that may complicate the maritime situation,” Mao said.

Tuesday’s incident was the latest in a series of maritime run-ins between the Philippines and China, which have been locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling.

“Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others,” the Philippine task force said. “We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community.”

The Philippines moved a step closer to enacting a Maritime Zones law after its Congress passed the bill that clearly establishes the exact metres and bounds of the country’s maritime entitlements under international law.

But China said it has “lodged solemn representations with the Philippine side” to oppose the measure, which Mao described as “an out-and-out evil law, which will inevitably complicate the situation in the South China Sea”

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said at a forum in Australia on Monday that his country will cooperate in talks with China but it will push back, when its sovereignty and maritime rights are ignored.

In a departure from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-China stance, Marcos has accused Beijing of aggression in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, including the use of water cannon, “military-grade” lasers and collision tactics to drive away Philippine vessels.

The China Coast Guard issued a statement on the latest incident between the countries along with other past coast guard actions, including a link to what it called the “illegal invasion of Scarborough Shoal” on Feb. 23.

In that incident it said a China Coast Guard ship took necessary measures to drive a Philippine vessel away in accordance with the law.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Hasan Piker embraced by California Dems went on racist anti-Asian rant

California Dems Under Fire: Hasan Piker’s Controversial Remarks Spark Debate on Racism

An influential left-wing online figure from California, whose reach is steadily growing…
Accused HOA swindler on the run after blowing residents’ cash on plastic surgery, luxe trips, shopping: cops

Fugitive HOA Fraud Suspect Allegedly Misuses Residents’ Funds for Cosmetic Surgery and Lavish Lifestyle, Authorities Report

A property manager in South Florida is facing serious allegations of embezzling…
Daughter of missing American woman in Bahamas says there were 'prior issues,' calls for full investigation

Husband of Missing American Woman in the Bahamas Breaks Silence, Expresses Heartbreak

HOPE TOWN, Bahamas — In a heartfelt statement, the husband of an…
Stepdad did not call daughter of missing US woman in Bahamas until 'more than 24 hours' after she disappeared at sea: report

Stepdad Delays Alert: Missing US Woman in Bahamas Unreported for Over 24 Hours After Disappearance at Sea

It took nearly a full day for Lynette Hooker’s daughter to learn…
Cops nab maniac who shot NYC shelter security guard after week on the lam: cops

Suspect Arrested After Shooting NYC Shelter Guard and Evading Police for a Week

Authorities have apprehended the individual responsible for shooting and injuring a security…
Wisconsin couple allegedly starved six children for years, forcing them to eat mold, bugs and dog food

Wisconsin Couple Accused of Years-Long Child Neglect, Forcing Kids to Eat Mold and Insects

A couple from Wisconsin has been apprehended following accusations of subjecting their…
Trump says US military will stay around Iran until Tehran complies with deal — or else 'shootin' starts'

Trump Asserts U.S. Military Presence Near Iran Will Continue Until Compliance with Agreement, Warns of Potential Conflict

President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will maintain its…
Graffiti vandals target Pacific Palisades wildfire homes as rebuild stalls

Graffiti Vandalism Strikes Pacific Palisades Wildfire-Affected Homes Amid Reconstruction Delays

Residents of Pacific Palisades, already grappling with the aftermath of devastating wildfires,…
Blue States Double Down on Tax Hikes As Wealth and Residents Head for Red States

Blue States Increase Taxes Amid Migration of Wealth and Residents to Red States

Blue states are ramping up efforts to impose new taxes on their…
Dashcam video shows what happened before ICE agents opened fire after traffic stop in Stanislaus County, California

Dashcam Footage Reveals Events Leading Up to ICE Agents’ Shooting in Stanislaus County

PATTERSON, Calif. — A tense encounter unfolded in the quiet town of…
Massive pothole forces lane closures and triggers major concerns for highway integrity as crews set to descend

Urgent Highway Alert: Giant Pothole Sparks Lane Closures and Raises Alarming Safety Concerns

A massive pothole on the 14 Freeway in the Antelope Valley has…
Andy Barr’s Senate Campaign Manager Terminated over Anti-Trump Rage

Andy Barr’s Senate Campaign Manager Dismissed Following Anti-Trump Comments

The campaign of U.S. Senate hopeful Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) has made…