The Philippines has called on the United States to defend it from Chinese ships in disputed waters, escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo has urged China to 'stop harassing us' after China moved 15 maritime militia ships and Coast Guard vessels, including a significant deployment around the BRP Sierra Madre outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. The U.S. has condemned China's actions, stating it stands with the Philippines and has placed a carrier strike group in the area in response. Incidents involving the Philippine supply vessel Unaizah May, which was attacked by Chinese Coast Guard ships 21555 and 21551 using water cannons at 8:15am Mar 5, injuring at least four Filipino crew members, have further intensified the situation. China expressed strong protest against the Philippines over 'illegal intrusion' into waters adjacent to China's Ren'ai Jiao. The U.S. State Department has expressed strong support for the Philippines, condemning China's 'provocative actions' and obstruction of Philippine vessels' freedom of navigation.
🔴 US CONDEMNS CHINA FOR REPEATEDLY OBSTRUCTING PHILIPPINE VESSELS' HIGH SEAS FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION
🔴 STATE DEPT: US SUPPORTS PHILIPPINES AFTER CHINA'S PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
Renewed provocations by the People’s Republic of China against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea put the lives of the Filipino crew at risk and showed disregard for international law. We stand with our Philippine ally.
The U.S. Navy placed a carrier strike group—including 3 guided-missile destroyers, Tico cruiser, & (never too far away) a sub or 2—between China & the Philippines during the recent resupply mission. Timing aligns with Chinese provocations & blockade in Philippines territory. https://t.co/Eqyrh8cAkv
In case you've been wondering how dangerous the China Coast Guard's high pressure water cannons can be. https://t.co/Nx7l7XL0Ch
"The supply boat, manned by Filipino navy personnel, was later hit by water cannon blasts from two Chinese coast guard ships. Its windshield shattered, injuring at least 4 Filipino crew members." 2TS is the flashpoint most likely to escalate this year. https://t.co/SakGLYNsfA
U.S. STANDS WITH OUR PHILIPPINE ALLIES IN THE FACE OF THESE DANGEROUS AND UNLAWFUL ACTIONS - STATE DEPT
U.S. IS TALKING TO THE PHILIPPINES ABOUT RECENT 'PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS' BY CHINA - STATE DEPT
Philippines summons China diplomat over 'aggressive' actions in #SouthChinaSea. https://t.co/ygBJheKWpT
More shocking footage of China blasting a small Philippines boat with dual water cannons. This video is for anyone who thinks using water cannons isn’t a big deal. Imagine that glass shattering in your face… https://t.co/jnGFr9OoyJ
🚨 at 8:15am Mar 5, one 🇨🇳 China Coast Guard vessel caused a minor collision with 🇵🇭 supply boat Unaizah May 4 (UM4) due to its dangerous blocking maneuvers. 🇨🇳 CCG vessels 21555 and 21551 fired water cannons simultaneously against UM4, eventually shattering UM4’s wind shield and… https://t.co/jWgTgFD56l https://t.co/pRfbK3XVAR
China on Tuesday expressed strong protest against the Philippines over four of its vessels' "illegal intrusion" into the waters adjacent to China's Ren'ai Jiao. https://t.co/lWziwdkm4V
WATCH: The windshield of 🇵🇭Philippine boat Unaizah May 4 shatters as 🇨🇳China Coast Guard vessels fire water canon at it during its rotation and reprovisioning mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday, March 5. 🎥: Armed Forces of the Philippines. @gmanews https://t.co/zRpY2BEehP
#WATCH 🔴 Real-life naval battle: The Philippines accused China of engaging in illegal "pursuit, blockade, and dangerous maneuvers" against Filipino ships in the South China Sea. Looks captivating! https://t.co/xrczpxPLmG
NSC confirms 4 PH Navy Personnel onboard resupply ship Unaizah May 4 on RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal injured by Chinese Coast Guard water cannon attack. https://t.co/DktIUnCanP
A great video via @BRPSierraMadre Watch the #Philippine Supply Vessel Unaiza May successfully evaded a blocking maneuver by a #ChinaCoastGuard vessel, ensuring the vital resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal continued unhindered. https://t.co/SEPsva0xKi
China takes regulatory actions against Philippine ships near Ren'ai Jiao https://t.co/RjjnJLocFf
Philippines urges neighbors to stand together more strongly against China in the South China Sea https://t.co/UKKvp6hpg5
Philippines foreign minister urges China to 'stop harassing us' https://t.co/zbN4Lsscsg
#China's maritime militia ships are boosting their presence near the #Philippines outpost at 2nd Thomas Shoal China has been blockading the shoal, which is in the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone. https://t.co/Wkxsc6SVQ4
Philippine foreign minister urges neighbors to stand together more strongly in South China Sea https://t.co/IyYWSF8G3X
Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo has said that his country wants to solve maritime disputes with China peacefully — but delivered a simple message to Beijing: "Stop harassing us." https://t.co/UDv6wFM4ej
🇵🇭🇨🇳 BREAKING: PHILIPPINES CALLS ON U.S. TO DEFEND THEM FROM CHINESE SHIPS IN DISPUTED WATERS Philippine foreign minister Enrique Manalo told Bejing to "stop harassing" the Philippines after Chinese research vessels were spotted on its east coast. Calling on foreign allies,… https://t.co/NHEzsCLfcy
China moves 15 maritime militia ships + several Coast Guard (war)ships in “potential blockading force” around Philippines outposts https://t.co/0GgDFRgROK
In the past 48 hrs 🇨🇳#China has deployed 9 Qiong Sansha Yu maritime militia ships from Gaven/Johnson Reefs west to Mischief Reef, boosting its potential blockading force around the 🇵🇭#Philippines' BRP Sierra Madre outpost at 2nd Thomas Shoal from 6 to 15 of these vessels. [🧵1/3] https://t.co/Lzvum0evIC
"Stop harassing us" Philippine foreign minister Enrique Manalo tells @AFP that his country wants to solve maritime disputes with China peacefully -- but delivered a simple message to Beijing: "stop harassing us" https://t.co/d8LdF6rq72 https://t.co/Wp1SORuBs1