As two Philippine vessels meet on the high seas to transfer a sick Filipino soldier, China Coast Guard boats shadow, block and bump them, video released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showed yesterday.
The incident happened last month during the medical evacuation of a soldier who was stationed on a grounded Philippine Navy vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, on Second Thomas Shoal (Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙) in the disputed South China Sea.
The PCG said they had deployed a boat on May 19 to retrieve the soldier from a Philippine Navy speedboat, and had informed the China Coast Guard of the “humanitarian nature” of their mission.
Photo: AFP / PCG
In a series of videos released by the PCG, a Chinese-flagged inflatable speedboat is seen bumping into the two stationary Philippine vessels as they prepare to transfer the patient.
Other boats — identified by Manila as belonging to the China Coast Guard — are also seen shadowing and blocking the path of the PCG boat.
The Chinese boats “engaged in dangerous maneuvers” and “intentionally rammed” the Philippine Navy vessel, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela said in a statement.
“The barbaric and inhumane behavior displayed by the China Coast Guard has no place in our society,” Tarriela said.
“What should have been a simple medical evacuation operation was subjected to harassment,” he said. “Their actions clearly demonstrated their intention to prevent the sick personnel from receiving the proper medical attention he urgently needed.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to the accusation it could “allow” the Philippines to deliver “necessary supplies” and evacuate personnel from the Sierra Madre if Beijing were notified in advance.
“However, the Philippines should not use this as an excuse to ship construction materials to the deliberately grounded warship in an attempt to permanently occupy the Renai Shoal,” ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) said.
The Filipino soldier was eventually loaded onto the PCG boat and taken to Palawan, where he received hospital treatment. The Philippines did not provide details of the soldier’s medical condition.
Other videos released by the Philippines yesterday showed China Coast Guard vessels shadowing three PCG speedboats carrying marine scientists from the University of the Philippines this week. The scientists were examining crushed coral found at two sandbars in Sabina Shoal (Xianbin, 仙濱暗沙). One video showed a Chinese inflatable speedboat nudging one of the Philippine boats.
In related news, Japan yesterday lodged a protest against Beijing after four armed China Coast Guard vessels entered waters that Tokyo considers its territory. The Japanese government said it was the first time that four Chinese vessels carrying what appeared to be cannons had entered its territorial waters in the East China Sea surrounding the disputed islands, which Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing calls the Diaoyutai (釣魚台).
“I am not in a position to state what the Chinese side’s intentions are, but the intrusion of vessels belonging to China’s coast guard into [our] territory is a breach of international law,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference.
The China Coast Guard said that it had patrolled the waters with vessels carrying weapons. It said its patrol was a “routine action” to safeguard sovereignty, security and maritime rights, and a “necessary step” for peace and stability, as well as to counter Japan’s recent “negative moves.”
“We advise the Japanese side to be prudent in its words and actions, to reflect on itself and to stop provocations,” it said, adding that it would step up what it called “law enforcement efforts.”
Tokyo lodged a “strong protest” through diplomatic channels calling for a swift exit from the area, Hayashi said.
“The intrusion into our territorial waters is extremely regrettable and cannot be tolerated. We will continue to do our utmost to be vigilant and monitor the areas surrounding the Senkaku Islands with a sense of urgency, while dealing calmly and resolutely with China,” he said.
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