MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol vessels Tuesday near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing minor damage to one vessel, in the latest flareup in an increasingly tense territorial conflict. There were no immediate reports of injuries in the incident off Scarborough Shoal, one of two hotly disputed areas where confrontations between China and the Philippines have flared on and off since last year. A Philippine coast guard ship and an accompanying fisheries vessel were patrolling the waters off Scarborough Shoal when four Chinese coast guard ships, backed by six suspected militia ships, executed dangerous blocking maneuvers, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. A Chinese coast guard ship used a water cannon against the fisheries vessel, the BRP Bankaw, and two other Chinese coast guard ships hit the Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Bagacay, simultaneously from both sides, damaging part of its deck railing and a canopy, Tarriela said. |
Home and Away star James Stewart's realAston Villa slips up in race for Champions League after 1How top scientists think we'll finally hear from aliensMexico recovers bodies likely those of missing surfersMexico recovers bodies likely those of missing surfersWhy boating through Brittany is just magnifiqueMan United defender Harry Maguire out for the rest of the Premier League season through injury'Beautiful' student, 19, felt dizzy at dress fitting for her mother's weddingPedro's late goal seals 1Chancalay, Ivačič lead Revolution to 1