The Philippines on Friday denounced China 's alleged assault of Vietnamese fishermen in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing are also locked in violent confrontations that have led to fears of armed conflict.

The Philippines accused Chinese maritime officials on Friday of carrying out an "unjustified assault" on Vietnamese fishermen in the contested waters of the South China Sea, adding its voice to a fraught dispute over the confrontation.

The Philippines has reaffirmed its position against the use of force in the disputed South China Sea after Chinese law enforcement personnel reportedly attacked Vietnamese fishermen over the weekend.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it is keeping an eye on China’s next move at a disputed South China Sea shoal that has become the latest flashpoint in the two nations’ maritime spat.

The Philippines‘ foreign ministry said on Friday it was aware of what it described as a “serious incident” between Vietnamese fishermen and Chinese maritime authorities late last month. “The Philippines has consistently denounced the use of force,