A Philippine Navy sailor was injured in a collision with the China Coast Guard in the SCS
THE SOLDIER of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said a Philippine Navy soldier was injured after members of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) hit him with a wooden stick during an encounter near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea (SCS).
In a statement, AFP said the incident took place behind a CCG dinghy carrying eight people from a CCG vessel. 21560 unlawfully approached within the immediate range of BRP Sierra Madrea Philippine Navy ship anchored in a fishing port, which the Philippines calls Ayungin.
The military said the Chinese boat was circling BRP Sierra Madre while we were taking pictures and videos, prompting the two AFP rubber boats to “drive them away calmly and without resistance”.
The Chinese crew “retaliated violently” by hitting a Philippine Navy warship over the head with a wooden stick, injuring one of the Navy’s rubber boats operating in the area, according to AFP.
AFP said the incident showed a “disregard for security,” putting the lives of Philippine workers at risk and fueling tensions in the South China Sea.
“The AFP remains committed to protecting the rights and sovereignty of the country,” it said. “Our official presence and operations in Ayungin Shoal will continue.”
“No act of coercion or violence will prevent us from exercising our constitutional authority or exercising the legitimate rights of the Philippines in the Philippine Sea,” it added.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
The military also asked the People’s Liberation Army, the CCG and the Chinese navy to stop what it described as “illegal, coercive, violent and deceptive actions” in the South China Sea and comply with a 2016 arbitral award that guarantees the Philippines’ maritime rights under international law.
‘VICIOUS GRAY-ZONE STRATEGIES’
Chester B. Cabalza, president and founder of the International Development and Security Cooperation, said the latest incident shows the continuation of China’s efforts to assert its claims in the South China Sea.
“The tension started after China failed to advance its claims over Batanes,” he said. BusinessWorld via Facebook Messenger. “Beijing has returned its focus to the West Philippine Sea by creating tension in the Ayungin Shoal to strengthen its military posture.”
He said China may continue to use gray-zone tactics despite the 2016 arbitral award.
“Gray-zone aggressive tactics in our waters will continue as long as China doesn’t get what it wants,” he said. “Ten years after the arbitral award, we should not be surprised by these incidents. This will remain an issue for generations to come.”
Mr. Cabalza said the Philippines should remain vigilant in protecting its maritime assets and military facilities in the South China Sea.
Separately, the Ministry of National Defense condemned what it described as the CCG’s latest act of violence and abuse, saying it was part of a “clear pattern of provocative and hateful behavior” that erodes Beijing’s trust and credibility.
In a separate statement, the organization said the incident occurred after China continued to ignore the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 ruling of the South China Sea tribunal.
The ministry said the latest incident reinforces its policy of not engaging with China, saying “you just can’t trust this aggressive neighbor.”
“As we continue to monitor and prepare measures to deal with this violence, the Department of National Defense congratulates the defenders BRP Sierra Madre and our western border,” and said: “We will not retreat.”
Also on Monday, the Philippine government condemned a video produced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) published by China’s state-run media outlet China Daily that depicted Filipinos as monkeys, calling it a racist scandal that further strained relations between Manila and Beijing.
MalacaƱang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. he saw the video and supported the response of government officials, including Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.
“No Filipino can react well to this image,” Palace Press chief Clarissa A. Castro said at a press conference in Filipino. “Portraying Filipinos as monkeys is unacceptable.”
Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the video be removed, saying that disagreements in legal and political matters do not provoke things that humiliate the Filipino people.
Mr. Teodoro also criticized the video as racist propaganda, saying it seeks to undermine the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea through humor instead of reason.
Asked if Mr. Marcos will call the Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, following the call of Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel to take this step, Ms. Castro said the palace will leave the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The dispute stems from an AI-generated video posted by China Daily on social media showing a monkey character wearing a Filipino costume regarding the South China Sea dispute and a 2016 ruling that rejected China’s maritime claims.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. also urged that the video be removed, saying that local disputes should not be an attack on the dignity of the entire nation.
The group expressed its “great disappointment.” “No matter how genuine or deep the differences between governments are on maritime or territorial issues, there can be no justification for images that degrade the dignity of the entire nation,” said Association President Victor T. Lim in a statement.
He said that disputes should be resolved through discussion and negotiation rather than focusing on things that could aggravate public sentiments.
“Our bilateral relations are far greater and more permanent than any political or territorial differences,” said Mr. Lim. “Such issues are best handled through dialogue, mutual respect and constructive dialogue – not through images that endanger public sentiment or undermine the goodwill between our people.”
The video was released around 10th the 2016 anniversary of the ruling, which Beijing continues to reject, adding to tensions over competing claims in the South China Sea. – Pexcel John Bacon again Erika Mae P. Sinaking
