The Philippines on Wednesday accused the China Coast Guard of using water cannons to damage two Philippine ships, escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Philippine officials stated that a coast guard vessel and a fishing boat were damaged on Tuesday while assisting Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal.
According to Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela, the use of water cannons by the Chinese Coast Guard has intensified tensions in the region. Tarriela says this is the first time a ship has been directly attacked by water canons causing structural damage. He adds that China has also been increasing water pressure when attacking ships.
The Scarborough Shoal, located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), holds strategic significance as a vital fishing ground near major shipping lanes used by multiple countries. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a claim disputed by Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, which all assert partial sovereignty over parts of the area. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled that China's broad claims had no legal basis, but Beijing has refused to accept the ruling.