Tensions in the South China Sea escalated on Tuesday, September 16, when the Philippine Coast Guard accused China of “aggressive action” after a Chinese vessel fired water cannons at a Filipino government boat.

The incident involved a ship operated by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which was on a routine mission in disputed waters. Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the Filipino vessel’s windows being hit by high-pressure water jets from the Chinese ship.

Philippine authorities condemned the incident, calling it a violation of maritime norms and a direct threat to the safety of its crew. The event is the latest in a series of confrontations between Manila and Beijing over contested territories in the South China Sea, an area rich in resources and vital for international shipping routes.

The Philippine government has vowed to raise the matter through diplomatic channels, while also reaffirming its commitment to protect its sovereignty and the safety of its fishermen and government personnel.