Manila accused Beijing of again damaging a civilian resupply vessel and injuring personnel with water cannons on Saturday near a remote Philippine military outpost in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippine military said China Coast Guard vessels had severely damaged the Unaizah May 4 (UM4) resupply ship as it headed for the military base that sits grounded atop the flashpoint Second Thomas Shoal, which is also claimed by China.
"China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels once again harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers against (a routine rotation and resupply) mission that led to significant damage to the supply vessel and caused injury to personnel," the Philippine government said in a statement, adding that injured crew had later been given medical treatment aboard one of the country's coast guard vessels.