PH says China ‘deliberately stirring up trouble’ in South China Sea

TWO FORMS OF HARASSMENT A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship (left photo) trains its water cannon on the Philippine military-chartered civilian boat Unaizah May 4 in an attempt to block the latter’s supply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal
in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday. Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Sindangan was damaged after a collision (right) with a CCG ship due to the latter’s “dangerous blocking maneuvers,” the PCG said. —PHOTOS FROMPCG

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of “deliberately stirring up trouble” in the South China Sea.

Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for a Manila task force on South China Sea, also said China is “maliciously inciting hype” while reiterating the Philippines will not be deterred from exercising its maritime rights.

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He added the waterway was wide enough for both countries to peacefully co-exist.

Malaya’s remarks came a day after the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of harassing, blocking and firing water cannon at Manila’s vessels carrying out a routine resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

READ: PH and China coast guard ships collide in West Philippine Sea

The actions of China coast guard were “provocative,” illegal” and “unbecoming of a coast guard officer,” Malaya told a press conference.