Chinese Coastline Guard vessel (L) blocks the ML Kalayaan chartered source boat (R) throughout a mission to produce provisions at 2nd Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10, 2023. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Pictures)
Jam Sta Rosa | Afp | Getty Photos
A Philippine coastguard formal on Sunday accused China of firing drinking water cannons and ramming its resupply vessels in the South China Sea, leading to “serious engine damage” to one particular vessel.
Coastline Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela named the vessels as Unaizah Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan.
“M/L Kalayaan suffered really serious motor problems. Contrary to China Coastline Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel,” Tarriela reported on social media system X.
The incident was the next ramming involving Philippine and Chinese ships since Oct in the vicinity of Next Thomas Shoal, an uninhabited shoal within just the Philippines’ exclusive financial zone in which Filipino soldiers are living aboard an getting older warship that was intentionally ran aground in 1999 to shield Manila’s claims in the disputed waterway.
There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials.
On Saturday, the Philippines also condemned China’s unlawful and intense steps” just after its coastline guard fired h2o cannon at a civilian authorities vessel of the Philippines’ fisheries bureau.
The collision arrives as a Christmas convoy of close to 40 Philippine vessels commenced sailing Sunday to the disputed shoal.
In excess of 200 fishermen, youth leaders and civil culture groups have joined the mission arranged by the Atin Ito (This is ours) marketing campaign community, a civilian-led advocacy to assert the Philippines’ legal rights in the South China Sea.