The Philippines said the China Coast Guard ships fired water cannon Tuesday at two of its vessels, causing damage to one of them, during a patrol near a reef off the Southeast Asian country.
The incident happened near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, which has become a potential flash point in the disputed South China Sea, during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen.
"This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels," a statement issued by the Philippine Coast Guard said.