The Philippines and China traded barbs after the former accused China's coast guard of firing water cannons at its government ships which were taking supplies to fishermen in the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China, which is rich in marine biodiversity, has been a focal point of territorial disputes primarily between China and the Philippines, as both countries claim sovereignty over it although it falls under the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The shoal is located about 120 nautical miles (222 km) west of the Philippine island of Luzon.
ALSO READ: Amid South China Sea tensions, Philippines, South Korea upgrade their ties to strategic partnership
According to the Philippine fisheries bureau, its vessels—Datu Cabaylo and the Datu Sunday—were on a routine mission to resupply fishermen when three Chinese coast guard (CCG) ships and a People's Liberation Army-Navy vessel began shadowing their movement.
"The CCG vessels attempted to impede the mission ... but were unsuccessful...The CCG vessels also opened and directed their water cannons, but this failed to reach the Philippine civilian boats," the Philippine fisheries bureau said in a statement.
READ MORE: The sordid saga of South China Sea: Bullish China, helpless ASEAN and clawless UNCLOS
However, China claimed that the Chinese side resorted to "control measures" after the Philippine vessels "invaded the waters."
"We urge the Philippines to immediately cease its violations," a spokesperson for China's coast guard said in a statement.
