MANILA, Philippines — As if the monkey video wasn't enough, China once again displayed its aggressive behavior in another video, this time on the West Philippine Sea when a personnel from its Coast Guard hit a Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton on Monday in the lastest clash between Manila and Beijing in the disputed territory.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), a CCG rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with eight persons from vessel CCGV 21560 approached the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, circled and took photos and videos, prompting two Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rubber boats to “calmly and non‑confrontationally drive it away.”
The CCGV personnel, however, responded by striking the Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton, causing injury and damaging the Navy rubber boat operating within Ayungin Shoal. The Western Command provided medical attention to the injured personnel and was currently coordinating with BRP Sierra Madre as to the extent of injuries to determine if there was a need for medical evacuation.
“Despite the aggression and violence, AFP personnel exercised professionalism, discipline, and acted according to the Rules of Engagement while carrying out their lawful mission within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, in accordance with international law,” Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP Public Affairs chief said.
“We call on the People’s Liberation Army and the China Coast Guard to include their maritime militia to put a stop to their illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions within the West Philippine Sea and adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Award that affirms the Philippines’ lawful maritime rights under international law,” he added.
The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China last week after a video from state-run China Daily showed a monkey dressed in Filipino costumes and in between the US and Japan, the country's known allies.
