The
Philippine task force for the South China Sea, an inter-agency
government body, called for China to stop its "aggressive
activities" in the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by both
countries.
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a
post on the social media platform X that China's behaviour
"violates international law and endangers lives and
livelihoods."
She said the U.S. stood by the Philippines in support of a free
and open Indo-Pacific.
China said earlier that it took "control measures" against three
Philippine fishing vessels that had intruded into waters near
Scarborough Shoal, state media reported.
The incident comes ahead of Dec. 10, when the Philippines plans
to deploy a Christmas convoy of around 40 Philippine vessels to
distribute gifts and other provisions to residents in Thitu
island, the Philippines' largest occupied island in the South
China Sea, and to troops garrisoned on an ageing warship in the
Second Thomas shoal.
"DANGEROUS MANOEUVRES"
The Philippines task force said three fisheries bureau vessels
were on a supply mission on Saturday to provide oil and
groceries to more than 30 Filipino fishing vessels near the
Scarborough shoal when they came under fire from Chinese water
cannons at least eight times.
A fisheries vessel was "directly and deliberately targeted by
the China Coast Guard," the task force said, causing damage to
communication and navigation equipment.
"To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support is not only
illegal but also inhumane," the task force said, adding that
China deployed boats to drive away Filipino fishing vessels
awaiting supply, and to illegally install a floating barrier.
Chinese Maritime Militia vessels were also reported to have
engaged in "dangerous manoeuvres" and deployed a long-range
acoustic device that resulted in temporary discomfort and
incapacitation to some Filipino crew, the task force said.
The Scarborough Shoal is located within the Philippines'
200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Beijing seized it in
2012 and forced fishermen from the Philippines to travel further
for smaller catches.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for
more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including
parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia
and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said
China's claims had no legal basis.
(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by William Mallard
and Neil Fullick)
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