A CHINESE Coast Guard (CCG) personnel hit a Philippine Navy serviceman in the head with a baton during an incident on Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
The AFP reported that a CCG rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) carrying eight persons from the CCG 21560 unlawfully approached the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The RHIB circled and took photos and videos of the beached Navy ship, prompting two AFP rubber boats to “calmly and non‑confrontationally drive it away.” The CCG personnel reacted violently and struck the Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton, causing injury and damaging the Navy rubber boat operating within Ayungin Shoal.
The AFP Western Command provided medical attention to the injured Navyman and coordinated with the Navy detachment assigned to the Sierra Madre to determine the extent of injuries and if a medical evacuation was necessary.
“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,” Trinidad said.