Screengrab from X video posted by Jay Tarriela The Philippines accused China’s Coast Guard on Friday of firing water cannon at Philippine government vessels for a second straight day near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident was the third reported confrontation in the South China Sea this week, following another encounter near Scarborough Shoal on Thursday and a clash at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal on Monday. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21581 came within about seven metres (23 feet) of the port bow of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Paduhinog (MMOV 3017) before firing water cannon while it was carrying out a fisheries mission about 12 nautical miles northeast of Bajo de Masinloc, the Philippine name for Scarborough Shoal. According to the PCG, the vessel was hit directly by the water cannon at about 7:53 a.m., followed by two more direct hits around 8:00 a.m. The vessel also temporarily lost satellite internet connectivity while sailing about 10 nautical miles northeast of the shoal before the connection was restored at 8:36 a.m. Earlier, at about 6:26 a.m., the PCG said CCG vessel 3107 fired a water cannon at BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) from a distance of about 400 metres while the vessel was on a maritime patrol about 15 nautical miles northeast of Bajo de Masinloc. The PCG said the patrol vessel had been shadowed by six China Coast Guard vessels along with Chinese maritime militia vessels. The PCG also said Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00318 was seen towing a rope about 100 metres behind BRP Datu Sumakwel (MMOV 3019) at around 8:09 a.m., creating a hazard to navigation. At about 8:55 a.m., CCG vessel 3303 fired a water cannon at BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV 3001) from about 300 metres behind the vessel. The Philippine Coast Guard said the incidents happened while it and the BFAR were carrying out the government’s Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Ma