The Philippines has accused China’s Coast Guard of appearing “like pirates”, saying personnel armed with knives and spears boarded its replenishment vessels at Second Thomas Shoal within the newest standoff within the disputed South China Sea.
Armed Forces Chief of Employees Gen. Romeo Brawner mentioned the incident befell on June 17 when Filipino troopers have been making an attempt to resupply sailors stationed within the Sierra Madre, which Manila ran aground on the reef in 1999.
“Chinese language Coast Guard personnel had bladed weapons and our personnel fought with naked arms,” he wrote in an announcement on Fb on Wednesday. “We have been outnumbered and their weapons have been surprising, however our personnel fought with all the things they’d.”
The Philippines mentioned one among its sailors was severely injured and the ships have been broken.
Brawner mentioned the Coast Guard had acted like pirates.
“Solely pirates do that,” he mentioned. “Solely pirates board, steal and destroy ships, gear and belongings.”
The scenario at Second Thomas Shoal, which is situated throughout the Philippines’ unique financial zone (EEZ), about 195 kilometers (121 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, has grow to be more and more tense in latest months with China making an attempt to disrupt common Philippine missions to the Sierra Madre.
Beijing denied that its workers had acted inappropriately.
“The police motion taken by the Chinese language Coast Guard on the scene was skilled and restrained,” spokesman Lin Jian mentioned on the International Ministry’s common information convention on Wednesday, saying they have been making an attempt to cease a resupply mission that was “unlawful”. .
CSAFP: ‘OUR TROOPS COUNTERATTACKED’
Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, Chief of Employees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, mentioned troopers conducting a rotation and resupply mission on the BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal on June 17 counterattacked with “all the things they might.” They’d”. pic.twitter.com/fu6Ep4CPjp
— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) June 19, 2024
Lin accused the Philippines of sending development supplies and “even weapons and ammunition” to the rusty ship.
“China urges the Philippines to right away finish its violations and provocations,” Lin mentioned.
China claims nearly all the South China Sea underneath its name 0 sprint line and has continued to construct synthetic islands and army outposts on outcrops and reefs regardless of a world courtroom ruling that its declare to have “no authorized foundation in 2016.
Beijing has bolstered its claims with fishing fleets, coast guard vessels, and marine militia. On Saturday, it began enforcing a 2021 law that it claims gives its coast guard the right to use lethal force against foreign ships in its territorial waters and to apprehend foreign “intruders” without putting them on trial.
The World Instances, a Chinese language state tabloid, on Wednesday revealed pictures that it mentioned confirmed the “interception, boarding, inspection and expulsion of Philippine vessels” by the Chinese language Coast Guard at Second Thomas Shoal in a maneuver that appeared to contain to 4 ships.
One {photograph}, taken from the air, confirmed three Chinese language boats, two of them black-hulled inflatables, chasing a Philippine boat, which seemed to be trapped between a coast guard boat and one of many inflatables.
In the meantime, the Philippine army shared its personal video of the incident. It appeared to point out two Chinese language ships approaching a smaller Philippine ship from both facet. A 3rd Chinese language ship was seen very shut by with Chinese language coast guard personnel in orange life jackets then boarding the surrounded ship. One seemed to be carrying an axe.
The Philippine International Ministry condemned China’s “unlawful and aggressive” habits within the newest incident and mentioned in an announcement that efforts have been being made “to rebuild a conducive atmosphere for dialogue and session with China within the China Sea.” Southern”.
He mentioned no progress could be made if “China’s phrases don’t match its actions within the waters” and urged Beijing to “act sincerely and responsibly.”
The ministry urged China to respect worldwide legislation and, specifically, the 2016 ruling, which Manila submitted after Beijing. Seized Scarboroough shoal after a confrontation that lasted months.
In line with the United Nations Conference on the Regulation of the Sea (UNCLOS), every nation has an EEZ extending 200 nautical miles (about 370 km) from its coast over which it has sovereign rights.
