PH gov't not elevating Ayungin incident to higher international body

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Friday that the Philippine government is not looking at elevating the June 17 Ayungin incident to a higher international body.

''That's not yet into consideration because I think this is a matter that can easily be resolved very soon by us, and if China wants to work with us, we can. We'll work with China,'' Bersamin said at a Palace press briefing. 

Last Monday, Chinese Coast Guard personnel, brandishing knives, an axe, and pointed sticks, repeatedly rammed then boarded Philippine Navy rubber boats, to stop them from delivering food supplies, firearms, and other necessities to Filipino troops at the shoal.

Videos and photos released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines showed tense confrontation at the shoal and Philippine boats slashed and navigational screen smashed. China seized two Philippine boats and several M4 rifles.

The AFP earlier confirmed that a Philippine Navy serviceman was severely hurt in a collision between a Chinese ship and a Filipino vessel performing rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.

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 Philippine vessel.—LDF, GMA Integrated News