Manila, June 23 -- Canada has expressed concern over another unprovoked incident involving Chinese vessels firing water cannons against civilian boats from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the South China Sea.

"Coercion and intimidation have no place in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," the issued statement of the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines on Monday read.

The targeted BFAR vessels were on a routine mission to support traditional Filipino fishing communities operating in the area.

Earlier, the National Maritime Council reported that Chinese Coast Guard vessel 4203 hit the BRP Datu Matanam Taradapit (MMOV 3006) with a water cannon while delivering essential supplies to Filipino fis...