China Coast Guard seizes PH guns in latest Ayungin encounter

Seven soldiers, including one who had his finger cut off, were hurt and weapons were seized in China's aggressive action against Filipino personnel performing rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal on Monday, June 17, a reliable source told GMA Integrated News.

The source said the soldiers were hurt in a melee with Chinese personnel. Aside from that, eight high-powered firearms were also seized and rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) were punctured. 

Another source told GMA Integrated News that four Philippine RHIBs were “hostaged” by China but were later released following negotiations. 

The first source said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFp) deployed six vessels from different entry points for the resupply mission but none reached Ayungin Shoal due to China’s aggressive actions. 

“This is a different approach by the new Western Command which triggered China,” the source said. 

Unlike previous operations, the source added that this was an operation by the AFP, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) providing discreet support. 

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela earlier said the resupply mission was purely a military operation. 

The PCG was later on called on to conduct medical evacuation of the injured military personnel. 

A report by China's state-run news website Global Times said Chinese personnel boarded Philippine vessels that intruded Re’nai Reef — Beijing's name for Ayungin Shoal — as part of the implementation of its new rule against foreign trespassers in the South China Sea.

“The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Monday took control measures in accordance with the law, including issuing warnings, intercepting, boarding and conducting inspections, when three Philippine vessels illegally entered the waters off Ren'ai Jiao (Ren'ai Reef), in China's Nansha Qundao (Nansha Islands), the first operation made known to the public after China's newly released administrative law enforcement procedures for Coast Guard agencies, which took effect on Saturday,” the Global Times article said. 

The AFP, meanwhile, said it will not dignify China's "misleading" claim.  

The United States, a close ally of the Philippines, earlier condemned what it called China's "aggressive, dangerous maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal," saying it caused bodily injury and damaged Philippine vessels.

In a statement on X, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said, "The US condemns the PRC’s aggressive, dangerous maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal, which caused bodily injury, damaged Philippine vessels, and hindered lawful maritime operations to supply food, water, and essential supplies to personnel within the exclusive economic zone." —KBK, GMA Integrated News