Manila, May 2 -- The Chinese Coast Guard's (CCG) use of "jet stream pressure" water cannon against Philippine vessels on routine humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc has heightened the tension in the West Philippine Sea, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said.

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the April 30 attack on BRP Bagacay and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw highlights China's "lack of concern for regional peace and stability."

"This is the first time that the Coast Guard vessel has been subject to a direct water cannon with that kind of pressure that resulted in structural damage," Tarriela said.

He said the water pressur...