The Philippines is rejecting blame for the collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal earlier this week, an incident that took place as the China Coast Guard vessel involved was chasing a Philippine vessel delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen in the area.

The U.S. military operation came a day after the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of “dangerous maneuvers and unlawful interference” during a supply mission around the atoll.

China's military released a statement Wednesday that the destroyer Higgins entered the South China Sea unlawfully, according to several reports.