Philippines says China Coast Guard fired water cannon; Beijing calls Manila’s accusations “bogus”

Wed Dec 04 06:09:09 UTC 2024: ## Philippines Accuses China of Water Cannon Attack on Vessel Near Scarborough Shoal

**Manila, Philippines –** The Philippines has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of using water cannons and ramming a Philippine fisheries vessel, the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, has further escalated tensions between the two countries.

Videos released by the Philippines appear to show a Chinese coast guard ship firing water cannons directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, and subsequently sideswiping the smaller Philippine vessel. Philippine officials claim the water cannon attack targeted the vessel’s navigational antennas. Crew members on the Philippine ship are heard shouting “Collision! Collision!” in released footage.

China’s Coast Guard initially claimed the Philippine vessel had approached dangerously close, justifying their actions as lawful. However, a later statement accused Manila of fabricating accusations and claimed the Philippine ship had deliberately collided with the Chinese vessel. The authenticity of the videos released by both sides remains unverified.

Scarborough Shoal, seized by China from the Philippines in 2012, has been a consistent point of contention. China’s deployment of patrol boats has repeatedly hindered Filipino fishermen from accessing the area’s rich fishing grounds. This latest incident follows a recent increase in tensions, spurred by new Philippine laws defining its maritime boundaries and a strengthened security deal with the United States. A separate incident near Iroquois Reef also saw accusations of harassment against Philippine vessels by Chinese forces.

The ongoing disputes highlight the persistent challenges in resolving territorial claims in the South China Sea, a region of significant strategic and economic importance. Both countries have a history of maritime clashes in the area, raising serious concerns about the potential for further escalation.

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