JAKARTA - The Philippines accused China of attacking their supply ships with water cannon spray as tensions between the two countries increased in the South China Sea.
The Philippine military said the attack on the supply ship occurred for nearly an hour in waters leading to Second Thomas Shoal, a small Philippine military base claimed by China.
In video footage released by the Philippine military, the larger white ship 'Chinese Coast Guard (CCG)' is shown repeatedly dousing another ship sailing alongside it.
Meanwhile, other footage shows a white ship firing water cannons at a gray ship identified as the Philippine supply ship 'Unaizah May 4'.
"The supply ship Unaizah May 4 suffered serious damage at 08.52 due to continuous water cannon fire from the CCG ship," the Philippine military said in a statement, quoted by AFP, Sunday, March 24.
The Unaizah May 4 ship, which was damaged, was then evacuated by a Philippine coast guard ship.
Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu claimed there had been a convoy of Philippine ships which he considered intruded into its territory. The action was then taken because the Chinese ship had repeatedly warned it.
He added that CCG ships carried out control, obstruction and ordering according to legal regulations.
“We firmly warn the Filipino side: those who play with fire will embarrass themselves. "The Chinese Coast Guard stands ready at all times to resolutely safeguard our country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Gan said.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea. However, this claim was opposed by a number of countries including the Philippines and international decisions which stated that China had no legal basis for its claim.
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Separately, Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano said three marines on the Unaizah May 4 were injured by ship fragments caused by the water cannon attack.
"We are not afraid. We will not be intimidated," he said, emphasizing that the Philippines continues to supply the garrison at Second Thomas Shoal.
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