China continues to harass the Philippines and fired a water cannon against several of its vessels in the South Sea

Philippines denounced this Friday that the Coast Guard of China carried outdangerous harassment” against several of its vessels in the disputed South Sea, including the water cannon shot.

The incident took place near the atoll Thomas Secongin the Spratly Islandswhere almost three weeks ago two collisions occurred between Chinese and Filipino ships on a resupply mission to a Manila military garrison on that islet.

Vessels from both countries often carry out incidents of this type in those waters, claimed in almost their entirety by Beijing in dispute with other neighbors such as Philippines, Vietnam or Malaysia.

Through a statement, the Philippine government assured that Xi Jinping’s coast guard together with its militias “recklessly harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers“while they were trying”illegally preventing or obstructing a routine resupply.” of Filipino troops at an outpost.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea also reported that the Beijing He fired a water cannon at one of his ships.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing he lodged a formal protest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this new aggression.

For its part, Xi Jinping’s regime stated that “took control measures” against two Philippine transport vessels and three coast guard vessels that, in his opinion, were in Chinese waters.

“Philippine actions infringe on China’s territorial sovereignty”said the spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, Gan Yu.

“We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its violating actions”he added.

The tensions between Manila and Beijing exploded in August when Chinese regime Coast Guard ships used water cannons against a Philippine resupply mission, preventing one of the ships from delivering its cargo.

China claims almost the entire South Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and ignores a 2016 international ruling that its claim has no legal basis.

Over the past decade, Beijing has deployed ships to patrol the waters, surround reefs and build artificial islands that it has militarized to reinforce its posture.

The atoll Thomas Secong It is located about 200 kilometers from the western Philippine island of Palawanand more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest land mass, Hainan Island.

The administration of Ferdinand Marcos has publicly criticized the regime’s actions in the South Sea, posting photos and videos to support its claims of harassment and blockade of its ships by China.

“We are determined to defend our sovereignty and interests in the South Sea“Philippine Foreign Ministry spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press conference.

“China must respect international law and the arbitration ruling that invalidates its excessive claims,” he added.

(With information from AFP)