‘It’s Pure Aggression,’ Says Philippine Military Head Aboard Ship Harassed by China

A Chinese Coast Guard ship uses water cannons on Philippine navy-operated supply boat M/L Kalayaan as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Dec. 10, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard via AP

MANILA, Philippines—The head of the Philippine military said Monday he was with his forces aboard a supply boat when it was blasted with a water cannon, surrounded, and shoved by Chinese coast guard ships over the weekend in the disputed South China Sea.

The Chinese communist regime, meanwhile, accused the United States of encouraging the Philippines, its treaty ally, to provoke China for its own purposes, though it provided no direct evidence.