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
More Chicago-area families share grave grievances involving Elmo's Tombstone Service over missing, erroneous headstones

Chicago Families Report Numerous Issues with Elmo’s Tombstone Service, Including Missing and Incorrect Headstones

CHICAGO (WLS) — Families are grappling with unresolved grief as the graves…
Erik and Lyle Menendez parole hearings begin Thursday

Parole Hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez to Start on Thursday

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Erik and Lyle Menendez are approaching a significant…
Department of Defense recruiting civilian volunteers for Trump admin's immigration crackdown operations

Defense Department Seeks Civilian Volunteers for Immigration Operations Under Trump Administration

The Department of Defense is providing its civilian employees with the chance…
Rhode Island Judge Frank Caprio, whose empathy in court earned him fame online, dies at 88

Beloved Rhode Island Judge Frank Caprio, Known for His Empathy, Passes Away at 88

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode…
Woman and young man smiling for a photo on a patio overlooking a golf course.

“Newsmax Staffer Travis Renee Baldwin Tragically Killed by Son After He Threatened Her”

A MAKE-UP artist’s son is said to have made a series of…
Menendez brothers face parole hearings after decades in prison for parents' 1989 murders

Menendez Brothers to Attend Parole Hearings Years After Serving Time for 1989 Parental Murders

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Menendez brothers are set to present their…
Donald Trump Jr. speaking at a conference.

Donald Trump Jr. Questions Cracker Barrel’s New ‘Woke’ Logo as Share Prices Drop

CRACKER Barrel’s latest rebrand has stirred major controversy as the southern comfort…
Bryan Kohberger questioned: Inside his first interview with police after Idaho student murders

Idaho Police Chief Shares New Insights on Bryan Kohberger Student Murder Case

Retired NYPD inspector Paul Mauro joined ‘Fox & Friends’ to talk about…
Couple being interviewed about missing baby.

Father’s Abuse Years Ago Led to the Tragic Death of Emmanuel Haro’s Sister, Before His Unusual Disappearance at 7 Months Old

THE half sister of a missing seven-month-old reportedly suffered serious injuries at…
Portrait of Kirk Hawkins, CEO and founder of ICON Aircraft.

Kirk Hawkins, 58-Year-Old Adventurous CEO, Dies in a Wingsuit Accident in the Swiss Alps; Friend Remarks He Went Out ‘Laughing’

A DAREDEVIL CEO has died in a horror wingsuit crash after he…
BREAKING: CA Supreme Court Rules on GOP Petition to Halt Newsom's Election Rigging Act

BREAKING: California Supreme Court Decides on GOP’s Challenge to Newsom’s Election Act

California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero delivered a ruling on Wednesday…
'The Beatles Anthology' returns: remastered docuseries, new music and book arrive Fall 2025 on Disney+

“Remastered ‘The Beatles Anthology’ Docuseries, New Music, and Book Debut on Disney+ in Fall 2025”

The Beatles are once again diving into their archives. What initially appeared…