Filipino soldier loses thumb after collision with China Coast Guard

Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy was taken to Camp Ricarte Station Hospital in Puerto Princesa City after losing his thumb in the latest incident of harassment by Chinese vessels on Philippine boats.

According to the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho," AFP personnel were on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal when the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) rammed their small boat and pointed a knife and an axe at them.

"Pumatong 'yung forward portion ng Chinese Coast Guard rib doon sa rib ng tropa natin and unfortunately nakahawak 'yung ating tropa doon so nadale 'yung daliri niya," Western Philippine Command chief Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres said.

["A portion of the Chinese Coast Guard's boat rammed into his ribs. Unfortunately, he was holding onto it, causing his finger to get injured."]

Facundo was given a "Wounded Personnel Award" for his bravery.

"The Chinese threatened our personnel by pointing their knives. Gusto ko pong tanggalin 'yung impression na 'yung mga sundalo po natin ay hinayaan nila 'yung mga Chinese Coast Guard na kunin lamang 'yung ating mga kagamitan, sirain 'yung ating mga boats. Hindi po natin hinayaan sila. Lumaban po tayo," AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said.

["The Chinese threatened our personnel by pointing their knives. We want to clear up any impression that our soldiers just let the Chinese Coast Guards take our equipment and boats. We fought back."]

Philippines-China maritime issue

It was in 1945 when China started claiming the entire South China Sea through the "nine-dash line."

The map had imaginary lines around the territories being claimed by China, which include the Scarborough Shoal in Masinloc, Zambales and the Ayungin Shoal in Palawan.

"Isa sa mga kontesyon kung bakit nag-aaway [ang mga bansa] ay dahil mayaman sa natural resources ang West Philippine Sea o South China Sea, mayaman sa langis, sa isda," Dr. Chester Cabalsa, a security analyst said.

["The West Philippine Sea is very rich in natural resources—fish and oil. This is why there's conflict between China and the Philippines."]

"Ipinagkaloob sa Pilipinas at mga Pilipinong mangingisda na sila ang may karapatan para gamitin ang mga natural resources na nakapaloob doon sa exclusive economic zone natin which is 200-nautical miles," he added.

["The Philippines and Filipino fishermen have the right to use the natural resources within our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone."]

In 1971, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared that the Philippines owns the Spratlys and other islands around it. He also changed the name of the island to Kalayaan Islands.

Since then, foreigners have been coming in and out of the country's territory.

In 2011, the tension between the two countries intensified after a Chinese warship opened fire on a Filipino fishing boat in Quirino Atoll. This was followed by the discovery of military outposts and garrisons built by the Chinese Navy in Kalayaan.

Following this, in September 2012, Former President Noynoy Aquino ordered that instead of the South China Sea, the sea west of Luzon should be called the West Philippine Sea.

The following year, the Philippines submitted a complaint against China to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, showing the Murillo Velarde Map that was made in 1734.

The map showed that contested islands can be seen in the western part of the country.

In the years that follow, Filipinos continued to suffer harassment from China.

Just last April, the CCG bombarded Philippine ships that were sailing in Scarborough Shoal with water cannons, with the Chinese embassy saying that there was a "Gentleman's Agreement" between former President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jin Ping, where Duterte allegedly agreed that the Philippines would not interfere with China's structures in Ayungin Shoal. In return, China will allow Philippine resupply missions to the island.

A fisherman named Noli Morano, who frequently went to Ayungin Shoal, is among those who experienced harassment by Chinese personnel. On May 19, 2024, a Chinese vessel followed them for 30 minutes.

"Bakit ganu'n? Ano ba talaga ang dapat natin gawin? 'Yung mga pamilya namin dun umaasa. Ngayon wala na, mahina na," he said.

["What are we supposed to do? We have families to feed, but our livelihoods are affected by the situation."]

"Sana naman bigyan lang tayo ng laya ba ang mga Pilipino na makalaot sa West Philippine Sea kasi sa atin naman 'yan. Huwag kami harass-in," Noli added.

["I can only hope that they let us sail and fish in the West Philippine Sea because it belongs to us. They shouldn't be harassing us."]

When asked what he would advise President Bongbong Marcos, the Executive Chief of the Philippine Army, as well as other involved agencies, Retired Justice Secretary Antonio Carpio said we should follow the UNCLOS ruling.

"Ang basic rule, we follow the rule of law. Sumunod tayo especially sa UNCLOS kasi wala tayong talo pag susunod tayo sa UNCLOS. Dahil complete na 'yung ating dokumento. Nanalo na tayo e, sundan lang natin. Ako I'm confident we have the strongest title, the strongest claim," he said.

["We should follow the rule of law—the UNCLOS. With UNCLOS, we can't lose. We have the strongest claim to exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea."]

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration made a decision that favored the Philippines in its claim to the contested territory.

KMJS reached out to the Chinese Embassy, but received no response. Last June 20, China issued a statement regarding the recent encounter at Ayungin Shoal, insisting that it is part of Chinese territory.

"Ang West Philippines Sea atin ito, at klaro unang-una na karapatan natin ang ma-enjoy ang likas-yaman halimbawa dyan sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone. Tayo ay may sovereign right doon sa West Philippines Sea according to the rules ng international community at gayundin ang ating bansa", AKBAYAN President and ATIN ITO Co-convenor Rafaela David said.

["We are the ones who have sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, which means we have the right to enjoy the natural resources it offers. This is what the international community has decided upon."]

"Para ito sa kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan lalo na 'yung mga mangingisda. Sa harap ng pang-aapi sa atin, dapat magsalita. Hindi natin tatapatan ng dahas ang ginagawa ng China. Tatapatan natin na yun sa mapayapang paraan," she added.

["We're also fighting for the livelihood of our fishermen. We must speak up in the face of China's oppression. We will continue to fight in a peaceful manner."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News