Chinese Coast Guard warships collided with and harassed Philippine vessels on Monday on Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a statement from the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Philippino Coast Guard (PCG) vessels traveled to the Scarborough Shoal to deliver gasoline and food to Filipino fishermen with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), according to the statement.
Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) warships subsequently arrived, started executing unsafe maneuvers, and impeded the Philippine vessels.
Four CCG warships and six Chinese maritime militia vessels engaged in the incident.
One of the Chinese ships fired a water cannon to attack a fishing craft from a distance of 12 nautical miles (14 km). Another used a water cannon to strike a PCG vessel, destroying its canopy and railing.
“This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels,” said West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela in the statement.
He said that the whole Scarborough Shoal entry is covered by a 380-meter (415-yard) floating barrier that was put in place by the CCG to essentially limit access.
“Despite the harassment and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, both the PCG and BFAR vessels stood their ground and continued their maritime patrol. They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety,” he added.
The PCG and fishing vessels in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines, are to maintain a "rational deployment," according to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This is a contentious area.
Mr. Marcos has denounced the ongoing presence of Chinese warships in the disputed seas and argued that his country had authority over the area.
The strategically positioned Scarborough Shoal, a popular fishing area near busy shipping lanes that is frequented by several nations, is not under the control of any one nation. The shoal is located inside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
“These latest demonstrations of China’s illegal and irresponsible behaviour highlight their egregious disregard for the Philippines’ lawful exercise of its rights and entitlements in our own EEZ,” Philippine authorities said in a statement.
A large portion of the South China Sea, which is used as a route for over $3 trillion in shipborne trade each year, is claimed by China, while other areas are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Beijing disagreed with an international tribunal's 2016 ruling that China's broad claim lacked legal support.
