China and the Philippines on Friday again engaged in a maritime tussle when Philippine ships were sailing to deliver supplies to its personnel on disputed islets.
Manila alleged that Beijing's Coast Guard "recklessly harassed, blocked, executed dangerous maneuvers" as Philippine ships tried to deliver supplies to its warship BRP Sierra Madre grounded in 1999 on Ayungin Shoal-a submerged reef known as Ren'ai Jiao in China.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the Chinese Coast Guard launched water cannons and tried to "illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply" of Filipino troops at the outpost.
However, China's Coast Guard disputed Manila's claims.
"Two small Philippine transport ships and three Philippine Coast Guard ships illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Islands on Friday without China's permission," said the Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu.
Gan said the coast guard "implemented control measures, making special temporary arrangements for the transportation of necessary supplies such as food by the Philippine side."
Manila lodged diplomatic protest with Beijing as it said the Chinese Coast Guard "unsuccessfully" attempted to force the Philippine ships to change their course to the warship.
