The Chinese coast guard fired water cannon at a Philippine supply ship during a collision in the disputed South China Sea on Saturday, Philippine officials said.
Video released by the Philippine military shows two Chinese coast guard ships approaching the only wooden ship, the Unaiza May 4, near Second Thomas Shoal and spraying water at close range. Philippine officials said.
The Philippine military said the chartered vessel “suffered significant damage” without elaborating.
The clash is the second time this month that Unaiza May 4 has been damaged by Chinese forces.
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This screen capture from a video provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese coast guard ship approaching a Philippine supply ship as it approaches the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (locally known as Ayungin Shoal) in the South China Sea on May 4. A water cannon is used on the Unayzah. Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Philippine Army via AP)
Philippine Navy crews managed to break through the Chinese coast guard blockade and deliver supplies to the Philippine military, which has a territorial outpost on a nearby island.
A similar collision occurred on March 5, when a Chinese coast guard ship blasted the Unayza with high-pressure water cannon on May 4, shattering its windshield and slightly injuring a Philippine admiral and four of his subordinates. Ta.
This screen capture from a video provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese coast guard ship approaching a Philippine supply ship as it approaches the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (locally known as Ayungin Shoal) in the South China Sea on May 4. A water cannon is used on the Unayzah. Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Philippine Army via AP)
This screen capture from a video provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese coast guard ship crashing into the Philippine supply ship Unayza as it approaches the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (locally known as Ayungin Shoal) in the South China Sea on May 4. A water cannon is used on the issue. Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Philippine Army via AP)
At the time, the Chinese government said its coast guard vessels responded after a Philippine vessel ignored warnings and entered waters it claims as territorial waters.
This shoal has been occupied by the Philippine Navy since the late 1990s, but recently it has become the backdrop for an increasingly tense territorial dispute with the Chinese Coast Guard.
This screen capture from a video provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese coast guard ship using water cannons and maneuvering closely alongside the Philippine supply ship Unayza on May 4, in the disputed southern part of the country. 2 Approaching Thomas Reef (locally known as Ayungin Reef). China Sea on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Philippine Army via AP)
This screen capture from a video provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese coast guard ship using water cannons and maneuvering closely alongside the Philippine supply ship Unayza on May 4, in the disputed southern part of the country. 2 Approaching Thomas Reef (locally known as Ayungin Reef). China Sea on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Philippine Army via AP)
In addition to China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims to the resource-rich and busy waterway.
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The United States has sent naval vessels to the region to stabilize so-called “freedom of navigation” operations. These have been repeatedly criticized by China.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
