Key facts
- The Philippines accused Chinese coast guard personnel of striking a navy sailor with a wooden baton.
- The incident occurred in the South China Sea near Second Thomas Shoal.
- A Philippine sailor was injured and a navy rubber boat was damaged.
- The Philippine military described the incident as part of a pattern of provocative and hostile behavior by China.
- China denies allegations of aggressive conduct and accuses the Philippines of trespassing.
The Philippines has accused Chinese coast guard personnel of striking a navy sailor with a wooden baton during an encounter in the South China Sea, an incident the nation's defense ministry characterized as part of a "clear pattern of provocative and hostile behaviour" by China.
The confrontation occurred at Second Thomas Shoal, which Manila refers to as Ayungin. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), a Chinese Coast Guard rigid hull inflatable boat approached a grounded Philippine warship and its accompanying navy boats. When the Philippine vessels attempted to drive the Chinese boat away, its personnel allegedly reacted aggressively, striking a Philippine navy crew member with a wooden baton. A video clip released by the AFP appears to show such an action.
The AFP urged the People's Liberation Army and the China Coast Guard to cease their actions within the West Philippine Sea and adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Award, which upholds the Philippines' maritime rights. The Philippine foreign ministry called the "act of violence" unacceptable and stated it warrants diplomatic action.
Second Thomas Shoal lies within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, approximately 1,300 km from mainland China. The Philippines has previously accused China of disrupting resupply missions to troops stationed on the grounded vessel. A similar violent incident in June 2024 resulted in a Filipino sailor losing a finger, though a subsequent understanding was reached to allow resupply missions.
China has consistently denied allegations of aggressive conduct in the South China Sea, instead accusing the Philippines of trespassing in its waters. The Chinese embassy in Manila and China's defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.