PH slams China after ‘unlawful’ Ayungin incident injures 1
MANILA, Philippines—The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Monday condemned the China Coast Guard’s “violent and unlawful” actions that left a Philippine serviceman injured.
The incident occurred near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
In a statement, the NTF-WPS said China Coast Guard vessel 21560 deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) at around 9:15 a.m. Monday and approached the grounded naval vessel at close range.
READ: AFP: China Coast Guard assaults Philippine Navy officer in Ayungin
“Despite repeated instructions from Philippine personnel to leave the area, the Chinese RHIB refused to withdraw and instead escalated the situation,” the NTF-WPS said.
The task force said a Chinese crew member struck a Philippine serviceman on the head with a wooden baton, causing injuries that required medical treatment.
“The safety and welfare of every Filipino serviceman remain paramount,” it said.
“This latest act of aggression against personnel performing their lawful duties is unacceptable and serves only to heighten tensions and increase the risk of dangerous miscalculation at sea,” it added.
Despite the incident, the task force said the Philippines would continue to uphold professionalism, exercise restraint, and adhere to international law.
It added that the Philippines would protect its sovereign rights and ensure the safety of personnel deployed in its maritime territories.
The NTF-WPS called on the CCG to immediately cease dangerous and unlawful actions that threaten lives and undermine peace and stability.
It also urged China to comply with its obligations under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and support a rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea and the wider South China Sea.
In a separate statement on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said any violence against Filipino personnel is “unacceptable” and will prompt appropriate diplomatic measures.
The DFA added that it remains committed to upholding the safety and well-being of Filipino personnel aboard BRP Sierra Madre who are lawfully performing their duties. /mcm
