NewsSouth China Sea clash: Philippines protests after sailors injured

South China Sea clash: Philippines protests after sailors injured

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, PHILIPPINES - DECEMBER 10: A Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting a ship on a resupply mission to the communities and Filipino military personnel stationed in the Spratlys, on December 10, 2023, in Palawan, Philippines. Escorted by Philippine Coast Guard ships, civil society and fishing community gathered in El Nido town to embark on a civilian-led resupply and gift mission to residents and military personnel stationed in the far flung islands in the contested area of the Spratlys group of islands as Christmas nears. The mission was cut short as China navy and coast guard ships present in the area prompted the captain of the Filipino supply boat to turn back, against the assurance of the Philippine Coast Guard to push through. China cost guard ships earlier fired water cannons and rammed another civilian boat performing resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal and a government fisheries boat in Scarborough shoal. The Philippines, the only predominantly Christian nation in South East Asia, has been celebrating Christmas for more than 400 years. (Photo by Jes Aznar/Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | Jes Aznar

ed. PJM

5 March 2024 14:01

Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, reported on Tuesday that at least four Filipino sailors were injured following the deployment of water cannons by Chinese security forces in the South China Sea. In response, the Deputy Ambassador of the People's Republic of China was summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines.

Philippines lodges protest with Chinese diplomat

The Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines lodged a protest with the Chinese diplomat regarding the "aggressive actions" of the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia. The Manila diplomacy department issued a statement deeming "China's interference in the routine and lawful activities of the Philippines within its own exclusive economic zone as unacceptable."

Coast Guard Commander Tarriela stated: "Recent unprovoked acts of aggression and dangerous maneuvers by China against the legal and routine Philippine rotational and resupply mission on Ayungin Shoal have endangered our citizens' lives and resulted in injuries to Filipinos." He also noted that a collision with a Chinese vessel caused "superficial structural damage" to the ship.

Four individuals aboard one of two vessels chartered by the Philippine navy for the rotation of the garrison and supply delivery to the BRP Sierra Madre sustained injuries. The BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship deliberately beached on a shoal, functions as a military outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

Chinese services' actions "were professional"

Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asserted that the actions of Chinese services "were professional and restrained, reasonable and lawful." During a briefing in Beijing, Mao urged the Philippine side to "cease violations and provocations at sea and to refrain from any actions that might escalate the situation."

Source: PAP