New Delhi: Philippines accused China Coast Guard of firing water canons at its boats on the South China Sea, condemning the act as “illegal” and “dangerous”, news agency AFP reported. According to Philippine Coast Guard, its vessels were carrying food, water and other supplies for the military personnel deployed in Spratly Islands. China, however, said it resorted to the "necessary controls" against the boats that had ventured into its waters “illegally”.
"The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous manoeuvres and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels," the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement, reported AFP.
"Such actions by the CCG not only disregarded the safety of the PCG crew and the supply boats but also violated international law,” the statement added.
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According to the report, the Philippines military said due to the “offensive” action of the Chinese Coast Guard, one of its boats was unable to unload its cargo for a routine resupply operation.
“We call on the China coast guard and the central military commission to act with prudence and be responsible in their actions to prevent miscalculations and accidents that will endanger people’s lives,” a military spokesperson said, as reported by AFP.
Meanwhile, China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said it had “indisputable” sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and urged the “Philippine side to immediately stop its infringing activities”.
"Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters... in China's Nansha Islands,” Gan Yu said in a statement, reported AFP.
The US state department condemned China’s actions and said that they were carried out by the coast guard and "maritime militia". It further said that these actions directly threaten the regional peace and stability.