China coast guard uses water cannon against Philippine boats

By JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines says Chinese coast guard ships have blocked and sprayed a powerful stream of water at two of its ships carrying supplies to troops at a disputed South China Sea shoal, prompting Manila to warn Beijing that the vessels are covered by a mutual defense treaty with the United States. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. says no one was hurt in the incident on Tuesday, but the two supply ships had to abort their mission to provide food to Filipino forces occupying Second Thomas Shoal. It lies off western Palawan province in the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone. China, which claims virtually the entire South China Sea, says its coast guard upheld Chinese sovereignty.