MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military on Tuesday blamed China for the collision of two Chinese navy and coast guard ships while trying to drive the Philippine coast guard and fishermen from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. It said it would assess how to respond to Beijing’s use of military force against civilians.

Philippine authorities said Monday’s accidental collision resulted in visibly heavy damages to the Chinese coast guard and navy ships and possible injuries.

The confrontation near the Scarborough Shoal was the latest flare-up of the long-simmering territorial standoff in the contested waters, a long-feared flashpoint in Asia.

The United States, a longtime treaty ally of the Philippines, on Tuesday condemned the “latest reckless action by China directed agains

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