[RYAN ROBERTSON]

ONCE AGAIN, BEIJING IS BEING ACCUSED OF “AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS” IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.

THIS TIME, THE PHILIPPINES COAST GUARD SAYS CHINESE COAST GUARD SHIPS ATTACKED ONE OF ITS BOAT’S WITH HEAVY DUTY WATER CANNONS AND INTENTIONALLY SIDESWIPED IT IN THE DISPUTED WATERS.

THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD SAYS IT WAS ON PATROL PROVIDING SECURITY TO FILIPINO FISHERMAN AT SCARBOROUGH SHOAL WHEN SEVERAL CHINESE COAST GUARD AND NAVY SHIPS APPROACHED.

THEY SAY WHILE ONE CHINESE SHIP UNLEASHED WATER CANNON ATTACKS AND HIT A PHILIPPINE VESSEL, THE OTHERS BLOCKED THE PATHS OF THE FILIPINO VESSELS.

CHINA CLAIMS THE PHILIPPINE SHIPS INTENTIONALLY DRIFTED INTO ITS TERRITORY.

ACCUSING THE PHILIPPINES OF USING ITS ASSERTION OF PROTECTING ANGLERS AS AN EXCUSE TO PROVOKE ITS MILITARY AND “MISLEAD INTERNATIONAL PERCEPTION.”

THE CHINESE ARE ALSO THREATENING THE PHILIPPINES WITH MORE ACTION IF THE CLAIMED PROVOCATION CONTINUES.

THE U-S CONDEMNED BEIJING’S AGGRESSION CALLING IT ILLEGAL AND SAYING IT “PUT LIVES AT RISK.” 

CHINA’S ACTIONS COME MORE THAN A MONTH AFTER STORMS PREVENTED PHILIPPINE FISHING AND COMMERCIAL VESSELS FROM TRAVELING 

DESPITE THE INCIDENT, THE PHILIPPINES SAYS THE “RECKLESS” BEHAVIOR WILL NOT STOP IT FROM CONTINUING TO PROTECT FISHING OPERATIONS IN WHAT IT CALLS THE “WEST PHILIPPINE SEA.”

I’VE REPORTED ON THIS ALL BEFORE, SO CHECK OUT SAN.COM FOR MORE… BUT CHINA CLAIMS BASICALLY THE ENTIRE WATERWAY EVEN THOUGH ITS SWEEPING DESIGNATION CONFLICTS WITH TERRITORIAL WATERS, ECONOMIC ZONES AND HIGH SEA CLAIMS OF AT LEAST FIVE OTHER INDO-PACIFIC NATIONS.

BEIJING’S ALSO HAD CONFRONTATIONS WITH INDONESIA IN THE OPEN SEA.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M RYAN ROBERTSON.