Philippines Confronts China Over Ship Ramming Incident

The Philippines has accused Chinese vessels of firing water cannons and deliberately ramming its boats carrying out resupply missions in the South China Sea, including one with a senior Philippine military official aboard. Manila called the actions a "serious escalation" and has filed diplomatic protests, while China claims its operation was "professional, reasonable, and legal." The United States has urged China to stop its "dangerous and destabilizing conduct" and reaffirmed its commitment to the mutual defense pact with the Philippines. The incidents mark another incremental escalation in the ongoing maritime confrontation between the two countries.