The Chinese coast guard fires water cannons at Philippine ships in the latest incident in the South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines – Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday, damaging both.

There were no immediate reports of injuries in the incident off Scarborough Shoal, one of two hotly disputed areas where confrontations between China and the Philippines have flared since last year.

A Philippine coast guard ship and an accompanying fishing vessel were patrolling the waters off Scarborough Shoal when four Chinese coast guard ships, supported by six suspected militia vessels, carried out dangerous blockade maneuvers, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

A Chinese coast guard ship used a water cannon against the fishing vessel BRP Bankaw, and two other Chinese coast guard ships hit the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Bagacay from both sides simultaneously, damaging part of its deck railing and a canopy, Tarriela added.

“China’s coast guard and maritime militia vessels have harassed, blocked and rammed vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,” a Philippine government task force dealing with the territorial disputes said.

The Philippine fishing vessel suffered damage, including to its electrical, navigation and radio systems, the task force said. A number of journalists who were invited to the patrol witnessed the hostilities, it said.

“China’s recent illegal and irresponsible behavior underscores the Philippines’ egregious disregard for the legitimate exercise of its rights and entitlements in our own exclusive economic zone,” the task force said.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine ships continued their patrol despite the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard. “They were undeterred and continued to carry out their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety,” it said.

China called its actions on Tuesday a “necessary measure.” “The Philippines has violated China’s sovereignty with its actions,” said Gan Yu, spokesman for the Chinese Coast Guard. “It will continue to take measures to lawfully defend its rights in Chinese waters and resolutely defend our country’s maritime rights,” he stressed.

The Chinese coast guard has also reinstalled a floating barrier at the entrance to the shoal’s vast fishing lagoon. The Philippine Coast Guard has removed a similar barrier in the past to allow Filipinos to fish there.

China insists on its sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, a key global trade route.

In addition to the Philippines and China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan were also involved in the territorial disputes.

The increasing frequency of skirmishes between the Philippines and China, which have in the past injured Filipino naval personnel and damaged supply boats, has raised fears that the territorial dispute could escalate into an armed confrontation that could put China and the United States on a collision course.

The U.S. does not claim ownership of the South China Sea but has warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, a long-time treaty ally, if Philippine forces, ships and aircraft face armed attack, including in the disputed waters.