South China Sea ‘ramming’ incident: Philippines says Chinese coast guard boarded its navy boats, seized guns
BRP Sierra Madre
The Philippine military, on Wednesday (Jun 19) said that the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats and seized guns from their personnel during the latest confrontation between Manila and Beijing in the disputed South China Sea. This comes a day after Manila said one of its navy officers sustained a “severe injury” due to the alteration.
About the latest confrontation
In what might be a major escalation in the confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in the South China Sea, Manila has accused Beijing’s personnel of “illegally” boarding their vessels and seizing guns.
“The Chinese Coast Guard personnel illegally embarked on our RHIBS (rigid-hulled inflatable boats),” said Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres in the first official Filipino account of the confrontation on Monday (Jun 17).
He also said that the Chinese personnel took some guns which had been stored in the boats crewed by Filipino sailors, who were under orders not to display their weapons during the confrontation.
The Chinese coast guard later “deliberately punctured” the Filipino boats, said Torres.
Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner alleged the Chinese personnel who boarded the ship were armed.
“This is the first time that we saw the Chinese coast guard carry bolos, spears, and knives. Our troops had none of those,” said Brawner.
The guns seized were for Filipino troops on board the BRP Sierra Madre warship on the Second Thomas Shoal, said the military chief.
“We fought back with our bare hands,” said Brawner, adding that Filipino sailors were “outnumbered” against the Chinese coast guard who had deployed eight boats.
He also said that the latest confrontation began when Filipino boats were “illegally rammed” at “high speed” by a Chinese coast guard boat.
Brawner also flew to Palawan to meet the navy sailor who he said lost a thumb when the Chinese vessel landed on top of the bow.
‘Illegal and aggressive actions’
On Wednesday, the Philippine foreign ministry denounced China’s “illegal and aggressive actions” during the routine resupply mission on Monday.
In line with Manila’s “commitment to pursue peace” their department is making efforts to rebuild a conducive environment for dialogue with Beijing on the South China Sea, said the ministry.
It added, “This cannot be achieved if China’s words do not match their actions on the waters.”
China defends actions
Beijing, on Wednesday, defended what it called “professional and restrained” measures by the China Coast Guard.
“Law enforcement measures taken by the China Coast Guard at the site were professional and restrained,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian, adding that “no direct measures were taken against personnel of the Philippines.”
On Monday, China claimed a Philippine supply ship dangerously approached a Chinese vessel and slightly collided with Beijing’s ship after it illegally intruded into waters near Second Thomas Shoal.
The United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have condemned China’s actions.
(With inputs from agencies)