(Updated)
China has again tried to intercept a medical evacuation of a Philippine Navy (PN) personnel near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), it was revealed on Tuesday, July 9.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS, said the incident occurred on July 7 when a Filipino sailor onboard BRP Sierra Madre suffered from a medical condition which warranted an emergency medical evacuation (medevac).
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sought help from the PCG, which deployed two vessels, BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engano, to carry out the medevac.
“Mayroon tayong isang tropa na masama ang pakiramdam (We have a trooper who was not feeling well) who needed to be evacuated. This was undertaken by the Philippine Coast Guard in coordination with the [Philippine Navy] under Western Command,” said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad in a separate press briefing.
However, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels interfered, according to Tarriela.
"The PCG faced numerous obstructing and delaying maneuvers by CCG [China Coast Guard] vessels," the PCG spokesman said.
Maritime security analyst Ray Powell earlier said that he was able to monitor how a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship with bow number “5203” and six Chinese maritime militia vessels blocked the PCG ships at approximately 14 nautical miles east of Ayungin Shoal.
A photo handout released by the PCG showed that at least three CCG rigid hull inflatable boats and a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy RHIB swarmed two Philippine boats engaged in the medevac.
Despite this, Tarriela and Trinidad said the medevac was deemed successful and the sailor was brought to Camp General Artemio Ricarte Station Hospital in Puerto Princesa, Palawan for medical attention.
“We would like to thank the coast guard for being part of the effort to ensure the safety and security of our people deployed on BRP Sierra Madre,” Trinidad noted.
Read: PCG slams China’s ‘barbaric, inhumane’ blocking of medevac for sick AFP soldier
On May 19, the CCG also blocked the medevac of an AFP personnel near Ayungin Shoal. On the same day, the CCG also seized a food package meant for troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre.
The Chinese forces’ action was tagged as “barbaric” and “inhumane” by the Philippine side.