Last month, a serious incident occurred in the South China Sea involving the Philippine and China Coast Guards. While trying to transfer a sick Filipino soldier from a grounded Philippine Navy ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, to another vessel, the Philippine Coast Guard faced aggressive actions from the Chinese Coast Guard.
The event happened during a medical evacuation on May 19. The Philippine Coast Guard had sent a boat to retrieve the soldier from a Navy speedboat. They had informed the China Coast Guard about the humanitarian mission, hoping for cooperation.
However, as seen in videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese inflatable speedboat repeatedly bumped into the stationary Philippine vessels during the transfer. Other Chinese boats were seen shadowing and blocking the path of the Philippine vessel.
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Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela criticized the Chinese actions, calling them “barbaric and inhumane.” He stated that the China Coast Guard intentionally rammed the Philippine Navy vessel, trying to disrupt the medical evacuation.
China’s foreign ministry responded by saying they could allow the Philippines to deliver supplies and evacuate personnel if informed in advance.
However, they accused the Philippines of using these missions as an excuse to bring construction materials to the Sierra Madre, attempting to strengthen their position on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, which China calls the Ren’ai Reef.
The South China Sea is a highly contested area, with Beijing claiming almost the entire waterway. There have been numerous confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels, especially around the Spratly Islands and Second Thomas Shoal, which is closer to the Philippines than to China.
Despite the harassment, the Filipino soldier was successfully transferred to the Philippine Coast Guard boat and taken to a hospital in Palawan. Details of the soldier’s medical condition were not provided.
In another set of videos released by the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard vessels were seen shadowing three Philippine Coast Guard speedboats carrying marine scientists. These scientists were examining damaged coral in the Spratlys. One video showed a Chinese inflatable speedboat nudging a Philippine boat.
In addition, the Philippine military reported that Chinese boats illegally seized food and medicine dropped to troops on the Sierra Madre on May 19. This was the first time supplies had been seized. The Chinese personnel later dumped the items into the sea.
China continues to ignore rival claims in the South China Sea and an international ruling that says its claims have no legal basis. To assert its stance, China uses coast guard and other boats to patrol the waters and has militarized several reefs by turning them into artificial islands.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, in a recent speech in Singapore, declared he would not yield to Chinese pressure, emphasizing the Philippines’ resolve in defending its territorial rights.
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