China-Philippine clashes continued near the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal for the second day on Friday, as Beijing started military drills in the South China Sea that are expected to run until the end of the month.
“On July 24, the China Coast Guard took control measures in accordance with the law toward multiple Philippine vessels engaged in illegal activities in waters under China’s jurisdiction off Huangyan Island,” the coastguard said in a statement on Friday, referring to Beijing’s name for Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines.
Hours later, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela released a statement with video, accusing China Coast Guard of subjecting Philippine vessels to “a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous manoeuvres”.
He added that by 9.30am on Friday, 10 Philippine vessels and 15 Chinese ships remained in a stand-off in the area.
“The PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] strongly condemns the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard,” he said.
In a further statement issued by China Coast Guard on Friday afternoon, spokesman Jiang Lue confirmed that Chinese vessels had used water cannons, verbal warnings and blocking manoeuvres against Philippine ships during the latest operation around Scarborough Shoal.