Tension between the Philippines and China increased this Sunday after both countries exchanged accusations over an altercation between their ships in disputed waters, marking the second incident between Philippine and Chinese vessels this weekend.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, a body linked to the Philippine government, accused the Chinese coast guard of firing a water cannon and ramming its replenishment ships in the vicinity of the Ayungin sandbar, which caused “serious damage to the engine” of one of the boats.
According to the multi-agency entity, the collision occurred when two Philippine supply ships were carrying out a supply mission and were surprised by “reckless and dangerous harassment at close range by the” Chinese ships.
The Chinese ship “deployed a water cannon against the Philippine supply ships, causing serious damage to the engines of the M/L Kalavaan, disabling the ship and seriously endangering the lives of its crew,” the group said in the note.
For its part, China attributed the incident to the fact that the Philippine ship “ignored the repeated and severe warnings of the Chinese Coast Guard” and “violated” conventions to prevent collisions at sea, according to local media today.
This is the second altercation between the Philippines and China in the waters of the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety and where it disputes, in addition to the Philippine archipelago, territories also with Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.
On Saturday, the Philippines accused the Asian giant of committing “aggressive and illegal actions” and firing water cannons at fisheries bureau ships providing humanitarian support in Scarborough Atoll and thus “obstructing and preventing” Philippine ships from approaching. to fishing vessels awaiting supplies of oil and food.
Tensions between both countries have increased in recent months, as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strengthens his defense alliance with the United States and reverses the rapprochement with Beijing promoted by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.
