Manila [Philippines], May 23: The Philippines fisheries bureau has accused China's coastguard of firing water cannon and sideswiping a Filipino government vessel during a research voyage in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources condemned on Thursday what it said was the "aggressive interference" of the Chinese coastguard against the Datu Sanday and a second ship during the incident on Wednesday.
The encounter occurred near a group of small sandbanks in the Spratly Islands where two Filipino ships were collecting sand samples "as part of a marine scientific research initiative", the statement said.
"At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sandaytwice . putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel." The "aggressive interference, dangerous maneuvers, and illegal acts" damaged the Philippine ship's port bow and smokestack, according to the bureau's statement. The Chinese coastguard said the Philippine vessel "dangerously" approached its ship. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune