The Philippine government announced that on the morning of the 5th, a Philippine ship was hit by a Chinese Coast Guard ship and water was sprayed on it in the South China Sea, where it disputes territorial rights with China, resulting in injuries.
Ships from both countries collided in the South China Sea in December last year, and both sides are once again blaming each other.
On the morning of the 5th, the Philippine government's National Security Council ordered a convoy of two patrol vessels and two transport vessels to bring replacement troops and supplies to a military base on Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, which is disputed with China. They announced that as they were heading toward the area, they were surrounded by ships belonging to the Chinese Coast Guard and others and were intercepted.
One of the carriers was collided with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and water cannons were fired at it, resulting in at least four crew members suffering minor injuries.
In connection with this, the Philippine Coast Guard released a video that claims that a patrol boat in the convoy was blocked from its course by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and then collided with it.
The Philippine government issued a statement criticizing China, saying, ``China's illegal ship maneuvering has put human lives at risk and has actually caused injuries.''
In response, the China Coast Guard used the Chinese name for Second Thomas Reef, ``Ren'ai Reef,'' and said, ``The Philippines intruded into China's Ren'ai Reef waters and deliberately collided with a China Coast Guard ship.'' ``The Philippine side was responsible for the incident.''
In December of last year, ships from both countries collided and water cannons were fired in the South China Sea, leading to a situation where both sides are once again blaming each other.