Philippines accuses China of using water cannon on its vessels for a second day

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has accused its Chinese counterpart of firing water cannons at Philippine government vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal for a second day. This incident, occurring on Friday, marks the third confrontation between the two nations in the South China Sea this week.

A Chinese vessel reportedly came within about 7 meters of a Philippine fisheries boat near the shoal, which is located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The PCG spokesperson, Jay Tarriela, strongly condemned the actions as "dangerous and unprofessional," stating that they created a "serious risk of collision" and infringed upon the rights of Filipinos in a traditional fishing ground.

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The PCG strongly condemns the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard.

China's Coast Guard, however, asserted that it had imposed "control measures" on several Philippine vessels it claimed were operating illegally in the waters around the shoal. Beijing stated its actions were "reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach," accusing the Philippines of "infringement, provocation and hype."

The incidents occurred as Southeast Asian foreign ministers concluded regional meetings in Manila. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended, called China's actions in the South China Sea "disturbing" and reaffirmed U.S. support for the Philippines. A similar confrontation took place on Thursday, and another on Monday at the Second Thomas Shoal, where a Filipino sailor was reportedly injured.

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The Philippine side should immediately stop the infringement, provocation and hype.