Hammers, Knives: Chinese Coast Guards Attack Philippine Military Boats in South China Sea | WATCH

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Manila: In a fresh round of confrontation between China and the Philippines, the Chinese coast guard personnel on board motorboats attacked two Philippine navy inflatable boats in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday evening.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials and the Chinese personnel attacked their boats to prevent the Philippine officials from transferring food and necessary supplies, including firearms, to Filipino troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal, a region which is claimed by Beijing.

It added that the Chinese personnel made physical attacks with bladed weapons, blaring sirens and blinding strobe lights.

“In a brazen act of aggression, the CCG obstructed the AFP’s critical humanitarian rotation and resupply operations at BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal on June 17, employing physical attacks, bladed weapons, blaring sirens, and blinding strobe lights,” the post read on X.

It continued, “Despite facing overwhelming numbers and harassment from the CCG, Filipino troops valiantly fought back and defended their position. The AFP maintains professionalism and steadfast commitment to uphold international law and preserve peace in the region.”

Sharing a video of the attack, the AFP said, “CCG personnel violently attached ropes to tow the AFP’s RHIB while threatening to injure an AFP soldier w/ a pickaxe. They also employed blaring sirens to create chaos, disrupt communication, and divert the attention of AFP troops, exacerbating the hostile & dangerous situation.”

Following this incident, the Philippine military chief demanded that China return rifles and other equipment that the Chinese coast guard seized in the dispute and pay for the damage in an assault.

“We are demanding that the Chinese return our rifles and our equipment and we’re also demanding that they pay for the damage they caused,” said Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, head of the Philippine armed forces, in a news conference.

“They boarded our boats illegally and seized our equipment. They’re now like pirates with this kind of action,” he added.

The official added that the Chinese seized the boats and damaged them with machetes, knives and hammers.

Adding more information, the official said that they also seized eight M4 rifles, which were packed in cases, navigation equipment and other supplies and wounded several Filipino navy personnel, including one who lost his right thumb, two Philippine security officials told The Associated Press.

However, China blamed the Philippines for the confrontation saying that the Filipino personnel “trespassed” into the shoal in defiance of its warnings.

(Inputs from AP)

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