00:00 In the latest escalatory moves in the South China Sea, two Chinese Coast Guard ships unleashed
00:12 water cannon fire on a Philippine supply boat on Saturday, causing significant damage.
00:18 The targeted vessel, Onaza May 4, was set to deliver supplies to the Philippine forces
00:23 stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed area in the region.
00:29 This incident marks the second time this month that Onaza May 4 has faced damages during
00:34 its resupply mission to the outpost.
00:36 The shoal, occupied by the small Philippine Navy contingent since the late 1990s, has
00:41 become a focal point of contention between China and Philippines, surrounded by Chinese
00:46 Coast Guard ship and suspected militia vessels too.
00:50 The dispute over the South China Sea also involves multiple nations, including China,
00:54 the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei, all vying for control of its resources
00:59 and strategic passages.
01:02 During the recent confrontation, a Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cabra escorting the Onaza
01:06 May 4 was also encircled by the Chinese Coast Guard ship and militia vessels, hindering
01:12 the resupply mission.
01:15 Commodore Jay Terela condemned the Chinese forces' action as provocative and in violation
01:19 of international maritime regulations.
01:22 The video footage released by the Philippine military depicted the intense water cannon
01:26 assault by the Chinese Coast Guard, causing significant damage to the Philippine vessel.
01:31 While there were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties, the extent of damage to the
01:36 boat was described as substantial.
01:38 However, as mentioned before, this is not the first such incident.
01:43 Earlier in March, Chinese Coast Guard ships also targeted Onaza May 4 earlier too, resulting
01:47 in injuries to Filipino personnel.
01:50 Beijing, however, defended these actions as a warning to the Philippine vessel and claiming
01:54 sovereignty over the waters in question.
01:58 The Philippines responded by summoning China's deputy ambassador and lodging a formal protest
02:02 against the aggressive action of its Coast Guard.
02:06 Meanwhile, Washington has also retaliated its commitment to defend the Philippines in
02:10 case of armed attack and aligning the strategic importance of the alliance in the region.
02:21 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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