forces said on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday near the Ayungin Shoal, is the latest in a series of aggressive moves by China against Philippine ships and aircraft in the disputed waters. The Chinese Coast Guard has been using water cannons to drive away Filipino boats from the area, which is within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
According to the Philippine military, the Chinese Coast Guard ship fired water cannons at the Filipino vessel and tried to block its path, causing three soldiers on board to sustain minor injuries. This latest incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where China has been asserting its claims over the resource-rich waters.
The Philippines and China have been locked in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea for years, with both countries claiming sovereignty over various islands and reefs in the region. The Philippines has been increasingly vocal about China’s aggressive actions in the area, which it says violate international law and threaten the security of the region.
Despite diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute, tensions between the two countries remain high, with both sides conducting regular patrols and military exercises in the area. The latest incident is likely to further strain relations between the Philippines and China, and could potentially escalate into a more serious confrontation if not handled carefully.
The Philippines has called on China to respect its sovereign rights and to refrain from any further provocations in the South China Sea. The country has also sought the support of its allies, including the United States, in pushing back against China’s assertive behavior in the region.
The US has reiterated its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and has called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the region. With China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea, the international community will be closely watching to see how the Philippines and other claimant countries respond to China’s actions in the disputed waters.
