MANILA, Philippines: The United States, through its embassy in Manila, said the Philippines can count on its support to uphold freedom of navigation while France and the European Union opposed any use of force in addressing sea row.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels on Tuesday water cannoned and rammed vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) enroute to Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) to conduct a regular humanitarian mission to Filipino fishermen in the area.