Chinese Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and hit another with water cannon, injuring four crew injured during a resupply mission in the South China Sea.
The incidents happened in waters around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands where the countries have contesting maritime claims.
A Philippine government task force said in a statement that "China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous manoeuvres in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission".
The China Coast Guard said it "took control measures" against Philippine ships' "illegal intrusion" in waters around the shoal.
The BRP Sindangan, along with a sister ship, had been deployed to support the military chartered Unaizah May 4 and Unaizah May 1 boats carrying replacement soldiers and supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino troops are stationed on a grounded Philippine navy vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre.
#china #philippines #southchinasea
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