PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines: A Chinese ship got stuck in shallow waters near a Philippine-controlled island in the disputed South China Sea during stormy weather, according to Philippine military officials over the weekend. The area is often tense due to overlapping territorial claims.

The ship ran aground over the weekend, east of Thitu Island, likely because of bad weather. Filipino Navy and Coast Guard forces went to check and offer help but later saw that the ship had already been pulled free, said Navy spokesperson Ellaine Rose Collado.

There was no immediate information about whether anyone on board was hurt or if the ship was damaged.

In recent years, confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy ships have increased in the disputed waters.

"Our troops stay alert," said Colonel Xerxes Trinidad of the Philippine military. "But when we saw it was likely an accident, we acted professionally and offered help, following international laws about helping ships in distress."

Villagers on Thitu Island, which they call Pagasa, saw the Chinese ship about 2.7 kilometers away and quickly informed the military and coast guard, said local official MP Albayda. "They were worried because the Chinese ship was so close," he said. "But the strong wind and waves were the real reason it got stuck." He added that other Chinese ships came and pulled it free.

The stranded ship looked similar to Chinese militia vessels, which the Philippine military believes often assist Chinese coast guard and navy ships in blocking and harassing Filipino vessels in the disputed area. This region is important for global shipping and trade.

Thitu Island is the largest of the nine islands occupied by the Philippines in the South China Sea. It is home to both Filipino soldiers and a small fishing community. It is located about 26 kilometers from Subi Reef, which China has turned into a military base, along with six other nearby reefs, to support its claim to almost the entire sea.

Other countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, also claim parts of the South China Sea, making it a hotspot for potential conflict. Many worry that the tensions could lead to a major clash between China and the United States.

The U.S. does not claim any part of the South China Sea but has said it will defend the Philippines, its long-time treaty ally, if Filipino forces are attacked—whether on land, at sea, or in the air.