Philippines says China used water cannon on fishermen in disputed sea

Antonio Basilio (R), the Philippines' representative to Taiwan, speaks during a joint news conference as Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin (L) gestures to him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei May 15, 2013. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang

MANILA (Reuters) - A Chinese coastguard ship used a water cannon last month to drive Filipino fishermen out of disputed waters in the South China Sea, illustrating aggressive enforcement of new Chinese rules, the head of the Philippine military said on Monday.

China has since the beginning of the year required foreign fishing boats to get approval before entering waters that China claims as its own.