The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines summoned China’s ambassador today after the Chinese coast guard used a high-pressure water cannon against Philippine vessels over the weekend in the South China Sea.

The Foreign Minister called on Ambassador Huang today and provided him with photos and videos of the incident. Beijing’s response is awaited, President Marcos explained to the press.

Manila on Sunday accused China’s coast guard of using a high-pressure water cannon against Philippine ships in the South China Sea on Saturday, an action it called illegal and dangerous.

China, for its part, countered that it had taken the necessary measures against Philippine ships accused of illegally entering its own territorial waters. The Chinese Coast Guard stressed – before President Marcos’s announcement – that it is calling on the Philippines to withdraw a warship from Second Thomas, which is used as an outpost.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, although the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia also stake claims to parts of it, and despite an international court ruling against it in 2016.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the incident occurred as its ships were escorting vessels that carried material for military personnel stationed in Second Thomas, an atoll city in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard strongly condemns the Chinese Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons against its ships, it said in a press release.

The State Department stressed that the US condemns China’s dangerous actions, which it characterized as the work of the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia.

The embassies of Britain and Australia and the European Union expressed their concern. Canada’s diplomatic mission in the Philippines condemned China’s dangerous and provocative intervention, while Japan deemed the incident completely unacceptable.

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