PHILIPPINE SAILOR STRUCK BY CHINA COAST GUARD IN SOUTH CHINA SEA CLASH

The Armed Forces of the Philippines accused China Coast Guard personnel of striking a Philippine Navy sailor on the head with a wooden baton during a confrontation near the BRP Sierra Madre on Monday morning. The incident occurred at the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef approximately 105 nautical miles west of Palawan that lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and is claimed by both nations. According to the Philippine military, a China Coast Guard rigid-hull inflatable boat with eight people on board unlawfully approached the grounded warship and photographed it before the assault took place. The sailor sustained a deep gash on his scalp, according to images shared by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela.

Video posted online by Tarriela showed China Coast Guard members aboard a larger vessel swinging long sticks at Philippine Navy personnel in a smaller rubber boat. The Armed Forces of the Philippines stated that two Philippine rubber boats drove away the China Coast Guard vessel during the encounter. Jay Tarriela characterised the incident as "unlawful aggression", stating that striking an unarmed sailor on the head with a baton inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone did not constitute lawful law enforcement.

China's Coast Guard rejected these accusations, claiming that Philippine personnel launched attacks first using oars, long poles and other tools against Chinese law enforcement officers. The China Coast Guard said it responded with verbal warnings, evasive manoeuvring and proportionate countermeasures while exercising restraint and acting in compliance with maritime law. The incident is scheduled to feature in high-level talks between the two nations in Manila this week.