Philippines Accuses China Coast Guard of Firing Water Cannons Near Scarborough Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard has accused Chinese coast guard vessels of firing high-pressure water cannons at two of its boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, is the latest in a series of escalating tensions in the region.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela stated that the actions "endangered Filipino personnel who were participating in a purely humanitarian mission." Videos accompanying his social media post on X showed the confrontation. This event follows a similar encounter on Monday near the Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese and Filipino forces clashed.

In response, the China Coast Guard claimed its vessels expelled the two Philippine official ships after they "ignored repeated warnings" and entered "waters under Chinese jurisdiction." Spokesperson Jiang Lue asserted that Chinese units took "necessary measures," including tracking, external pressure, interception, and control, to expel the Filipino vessels. He described the operation as "professional, standardized, justified, and legal" and urged the Philippines to cease "infringement and provocation."

The heightened tensions coincide with the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila. The United States maintains a defense treaty with the Philippines, adding a layer of geopolitical complexity to the maritime disputes. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a claim that conflicts with those of several neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam.