Manila: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday described as 'disturbing' China's latest water cannoning incident, involving a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship blasting a Filipino vessel in the Scarborough Shoal.

According to Philippines News Agency, the CCG fired a water cannon on BRP Datu Dumangsil for more than two minutes while the latter was on a mission to provide fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen in the area on Thursday morning.

When asked for a reaction, Rubio said the act was 'disturbing' and noted that 'these claims of sovereignty over territory are a growing challenge.' He emphasized the United States' commitment to its treaty partners, as well as the importance of freedom of navigation and respect for territorial rights in the region. Rubio made these comments during an interview with reporters after his engagements on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Pasay City.

BRP Dumangsil was one of the two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels subjected to what the Philippine Coast Guard described as 'dangerous maneuvers' by the CCG in the feature. Despite the incident, no injuries were reported, and both BFAR vessels continued their mission.