The Philippines on Sunday accused China of using a water cannon to obstruct the country's resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, seriously damaging one of its ships' engines in the process.
In a statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said China Coast Guard and Chinese militia vessels "harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian vessels, in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission to BRP Sierra Madre at Avungin Shoal."
"CCG vessel 5204 deployed a water cannon against the Philippine supply vessels causing severe damage to M/L Kalavaan's engines, disabling the vessel and seriously endangering the lives of its crew," the NTF-WPS said.
Currently, the Task Force said the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sindangan is safely towing M/L Kalayaan back to Ulugan Bay, Palawan.
Aside from the M/L Kalayaan, it noted that the BRP Sabra also "suffered damage" to its mast after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon of the CCG.
"The PCG vessels and the resupply boats Unaiza Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan were subjected to reckless and dangerous harassment at close range by CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels on their approach to Ayungin Shoal," it said.
The NTF-WPS also slammed CCG's "disinformation," stressing that the UM1 was rammed by the CCG 21556.
"Despite these extreme and reckless actions, UM1 successfully reached BRP Sierra Madre, and resupply is ongoing as of this writing," it said.
"We condemn, once again, China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Avungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk," it added.
It continued: "The systematic and consistent manner in which the People's Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue."
The NTF-WPS stressed that "peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others."
"We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community," it said.
"The Philippines continues to act in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award," it added, referring to the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejecting Beijing's historical claims in the West Philippine Sea.
It continued: "The Philippines will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Avunain Shoal which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf."
