The Philippines has accused the Chinese coast guard of obstructing a Filipino government vessel's supply mission to fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal, marking the second such alleged incident in two weeks.
On February 22, the BRP Datu Sanday was delivering fuel to fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal when it was reportedly harassed by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and three other Chinese ships. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that three of the Chinese vessels came within 100 meters of the Datu Sanday's bow, engaging in dangerous maneuvers such as shadowing and transponder jamming.
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The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, has been a source of tension between China and the Philippines since China seized control of it in 2012. Despite an international tribunal ruling against its claims, China has continued to assert its dominance over the area, deploying patrol boats that allegedly harass Philippine vessels and restrict Filipino fishermen's access to the lagoon's rich fishing grounds.
China's state-run Global Times defended the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, stating that they repelled the Datu Sanday when it "illegally intruded" into waters near China's Huangyan Island, the Chinese name for the shoal.
Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have escalated in recent years, with incidents of collisions and water cannon confrontations. Despite international rulings questioning the legality of China's claims, Beijing continues to assert its dominance over the region, disregarding the concerns of neighboring countries and international law. The recent incidents near the Scarborough Shoal highlight the ongoing challenges in the disputed waters and the need for diplomatic resolution to prevent further escalations.
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