Filipino soldier hurt in collision between PH and Chinese vessels — source

A Filipino soldier was reportedly hurt during a collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal on Monday morning.

According to Joseph Morong’s 24 Oras report on Monday, a reliable source of GMA Integrated News said a medical evacuation was conducted for the soldier who sustained injuries during an alleged resupply mission. His condition is still being determined.

Maritime security expert Ray Powell said three Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships and 12 maritime militia vessels were deployed in the area. Satellite images, meanwhile, showed a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship also stationed near the Ayungin Shoal.

“It’s down to the southeast, about 20 nautical miles southeast of Ayungin and then just recently in the last couple of hours, it has moved north to where the maritime militia have been,” said Powell. 

He also said the Philippines seemingly used a different strategy for the resupply mission with the PCG vessels not escorting the resupply vessel directly in the area.

“The PCG would come in from the east and escort the resupply vessel directly into Ayungin Shoal. Who exactly is escorting the resupply vessel is not clear from the ship tracks,” the maritime security expert said.

The PCG, which usually escorts the resupply missions, said they were not part of the operation.

Chinese state-run network CGTN earlier disclosed that vessels of the Philippines and China were involved in a collision near the Second Thomas Shoal.

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) claimed the Philippine supply ship "dangerously approached" a Chinese ship. It said the Filipino vessel illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal and ignored Beijing's repeated warnings.

The CCG also said it conducted “control measures” against the Filipino ships, claiming the Philippines allegedly violated the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

“Control measures” usually means the use of water cannons, according to Powell.

For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would not dignify the misleading Chinese claims in relation to the incident.

“We will not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims of the CCG,” said AFP Spokesperson Col.Frances Padilla.

“The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights. The continued aggressive actions of the CCG are escalating tensions in the region,” Padilla added.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

This despite an arbitral ruling that invalidated its massive claims in the resource-rich area. Beijing has ignored the ruling and instead continued to strengthen its presence, including its aggressive actions, in the region. —Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News