The Philippine Coast Guard said a Chinese coast guard vessel used a water cannon against one of its ships near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on Friday, intensifying a long-running maritime dispute between the two countries.

According to the Philippine account, the incident occurred as the ship operated near the contested reef, where both Manila and Beijing have repeatedly faced off in recent years. The report did not immediately indicate whether anyone was injured or whether the vessel suffered serious damage.

The confrontation adds to a series of risky encounters in the area, where Chinese and Philippine ships have traded blame over aggressive maneuvers, blockades, and harassment at sea. The disputed waters remain one of Asia's most dangerous flashpoints because of overlapping territorial claims and the presence of military and coast guard assets.

Friday's episode underscores the fragility of the situation and the potential for a miscalculation to trigger a broader crisis. Both sides have continued to assert their claims, while regional tensions have persisted around navigation rights, sovereignty, and enforcement at sea.