Philippines says China’s coast guard fired water cannons and sideswiped its patrol vessel

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials say Chinese coast guard vessels backed by navy ships have fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. They say three Philippine coast guard and bureau of fisheries vessels were on routine patrol to protect Filipino fishermen at the Scarborough Shoal when several Chinese coast guard and navy ships approached and staged “aggressive actions” early Wednesday. Chinese officials said the Philippine vessels encroached on Chinese territory and maneuvered in a way that led to a collision.