Philippine soldiers used “bare hands” to fight off Chinese Coast Guard personnel armed with spears, knives and swords in a clash in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine media reported.
A Philippine sailor was seriously injured after what his military described as a “deliberate high-speed ramming” by the Chinese Coast Guard aimed at disrupting a resupply mission for troops stationed at Second Thomas Bank.
Chinese Coast Guard personnel, who the Philippine military said were carrying knives and spears, looted firearms and “deliberately rammed” Philippine boats participating in the mission. Philippine navy spokesperson Roy Trinidad said in a phone interview on Thursday:
“We were unprepared for that kind of response. We stuck with the rules of engagement. They were not allowed to use guns except for self defence.”
Trinidad also said China’s “illegal, aggressive and deceptive” actions increased the risk of miscalculations at sea.
But China’s foreign ministry disputed the Philippines’ claim, and its spokesman said Thursday that the necessary measures were taken lawfully, professionally and above reproach. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also said:
Tensions are rising in the region
Clashes between the Philippines and China, which claims much of the South China Sea, have become more tense and frequent over the past year as Beijing insists on its claims and Manila refuses to end its resupply mission. China considers such missions illegal incursions and has tried to repel the vessels.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo on Wednesday to discuss China’s actions in the South China Sea, which Washington, Britain and Canada have condemned.
