The Philippines has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of physically attacking one of its navy personnel during a confrontation at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, calling the incident part of Beijing’s continuing pattern of “provocative and hostile behaviour.”
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the clash occurred on Monday when Chinese coast guard personnel allegedly struck a Philippine sailor on the head with a wooden baton during an encounter near the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, Manila’s military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, known locally as Ayungin Shoal.
The AFP said the sailor suffered injuries while a Philippine navy rubber boat was also damaged.
Confrontation Escalates
The Philippine military said a Chinese Coast Guard rigid-hull inflatable boat carrying eight personnel approached the grounded warship and began filming and photographing the area.
When two Philippine navy boats attempted to push the Chinese vessel away, the situation quickly escalated.
According to the AFP, Chinese personnel “reacted violently and aggressively” by striking a Philippine sailor with a wooden baton. The military also released a 25-second video showing one of the Chinese crew members hitting a sailor aboard a nearby rubber boat.
Manila Condemns Incident
The Philippine military urged China to halt what it described as “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions” in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s name for parts of the South China Sea within its Exclusive Economic Zone.
It also called on China to respect the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims and upheld the Philippines’ rights under international law.
The Philippine foreign ministry described the assault as “unacceptable” and said the incident would prompt diplomatic action against Beijing.
Fresh Tensions at Second Thomas Shoal
Second Thomas Shoal remains one of the region’s most volatile flashpoints. The reef lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, around 1,300 kilometres from mainland China, although Beijing claims it as Renai Reef.
Manila has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of obstructing resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, where Philippine troops have maintained a presence for more than two decades.
A similar confrontation in June 2024 turned violent, resulting in a Filipino sailor losing a finger before both countries later reached a provisional arrangement allowing humanitarian resupply missions.
Regional Spotlight
The latest confrontation comes as Southeast Asian foreign ministers gather in Manila for high-level meetings, which are also being attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Maritime security and tensions in the South China Sea are expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
China has consistently rejected accusations of using excessive force in the disputed waters, instead accusing the Philippines of illegally entering what it considers Chinese territory.
Neither the Chinese Embassy in Manila nor China’s Defence Ministry immediately responded to the latest allegations.
(with inputs from Reuters)
