AFP confirms Navy man ‘severely hurt’ in China’s ‘high-speed ramming’

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday confirmed that the Philippine Navy servicemember who was hurt in a collision between a Chinese ship and a Filipino vessel performing rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal sustained a "severe injury" in the incident.

According to a 24 Oras report by Joseph Morong, seven servicemembers were injured in the incident, including one who lost a thumb.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said the service member was safely evacuated and received prompt medical treatment after China Coast Guard's (CCG) " intentional high-speed ramming" of the other ship.

In a separate statement, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said the China Coast Guard “has no right or legal authority to interfere with our legitimate operations or damage our assets within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” 

“This reckless and aggressive behavior has caused bodily harm and constitutes a blatant violation of international maritime law, Philippine sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” Brawner added, noting that China’s actions “also pose significant risks to regional stability.” 

The AFP chief also said that they remain committed to upholding the rule of law and will collaborate with international partners “to ensure and secure peace and stability across the West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific Region.”

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the resupply mission was conducted by the AFP with the support of the PCG.

The incident was the first reported collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels since China implemented an administrative law enforcement procedure mandating the arrest of “foreign” vessels in their claimed territory.

The details of the encounter were not included in the statement released by the National Security Council regarding the failed mission and condemning China’s actions on Monday.

The CCG claimed that the Philippine supply ship "dangerously approached" the Chinese ship and ignored Beijing's repeated solemn warnings.

The Philippine military has said it would not dignify the China's claims about the collision, which occurred on Monday morning.

Ayungin Shoal is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is well within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is part of its continental shelf.

On Monday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said that the Philippines' armed forces will resist China's "dangerous and reckless behavior" in the West Philippine Sea. — with Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM/RF, GMA Integrated News