Philippines accuses China Coast Guard of damaging its ship ( www.dw.com )

Authorities say water cannons "directly hit the starboard astern of the BFAR vessel," in the Scarborough Shoal, which China seized in 2012.

The Philippines said on Tuesday that the China Coast Guard fired water cannons at two of its vessels, causing damage to one of them, during a patrol near the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

"This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels," Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a statement. "They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety."