The Philippines on Monday said China deliberately caused collisions between the two countries' vessels in the South China Sea.
"Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, in blatant violation of international law, harassed and intentionally hit Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra," Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said.
It's a step up in the war of words after two incidents between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea on Sunday.
In one of the incidents, China's coastguard said there had been a "slight collision" between one of its ships and the Philippine boat while the coastguard was "lawfully" blocking the boat from transporting "illegal construction materials" to the warship.
In another incident during the same resupply mission, it said a Philippine coastguard vessel's port side was bumped by a Chinese maritime militia vessel.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, on Monday urged the Philippines to take Beijing's concerns seriously, stop dangerous maneuvers, and stop creating more tension in the South China Sea.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos met with security officials and ordered the coastguard to investigate the incidents.
