The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of assaulting a Philippine Navy (PN) sailor during an encounter near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on Monday, July 20, calling the latest incident another escalation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the AFP said a CCG rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) carrying eight personnel from vessel CCG vessel with bow number “21560” “unlawfully approached within close range of BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.”

The Chinese boat circled the grounded Navy ship and took photos and videos, prompting two AFP rubber boats to move in.

The military said the PN personnel “calmly and non-confrontationally” drove the Chinese boat away.

The confrontation turned violent after, according to the AFP, "the CCGV personnel reacted violently and aggressively by striking a Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton, causing injury and damaging the Navy rubber boat operating within the area where our country enjoys sovereign rights under international law.”

BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999 to serve as the Philippines’ military outpost. The shoal lies within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but China claims the feature as part of its territorial waters.

In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague ruled that China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) but Beijing continues to reject that ruling.

The AFP said the Western Command (Wescom) immediately treated the injured sailor after the encounter.

It added that it is “currently coordinating with BRP Sierra Madre as to the extent of injuries and if said injuries necessitate a medical evacuation.”

“These latest aggressive actions and assault by the CCGV demonstrate a blatant disregard for safety, endanger the lives of our personnel and escalates tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” the AFP said.

Despite the confrontation, the AFP said its personnel followed operational protocols.

“Despite the aggression and violence, AFP personnel exercised professionalism, discipline, and acted according to the Rules of Engagement while carrying out their lawful mission within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, in accordance with international law,” it said.

The military also vowed to continue operations in the area, saying that its “lawful presence and sustainment operations in Ayungin Shoal will continue.”

“No act of coercion or aggression will deter us from carrying out our constitutional mandate or exercising the Philippines' lawful rights in the West Philippine Sea,” it said.

The AFP also urged Chinese authorities to stop its unlawful activities in the disputed waters.

“We call on the People's Liberation Army and the China Coast Guard, including their maritime militia, to put a stop to their illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions within the West Philippine Sea and adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Award that affirms the Philippines' lawful maritime rights under international law,” the military said.

The national government has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of using dangerous maneuvers, water cannons, and physical obstruction against Philippine ships during resupply and patrol missions in the West Philippine Sea.

Aside from the July 20 incident, one of the most serious confrontations between Philippine and Chinese forces in the WPS occurred on June 17, 2024 when CCG personnel boarded Philippine RHIBs and destroyed equipment using bladed weapons and other tools during a rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) said the incident strengthens the government's policy of disengagement with Beijing, saying China's actions have further eroded trust.

"The latest act of violence and harassment committed by the China Coast Guard against Philippine Navy personnel stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal adds to a clear pattern of provocative and hostile behavior, and further contributes to the People's Republic of China's deficit of trust and credibility," it said.

"Against the backdrop of the PRC's circumvention of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and disregard of the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling on the South China Sea, their actions further justify the Department's position of disengagement. We simply cannot trust this belligerent neighbor," it added.

The department did not elaborate on specific disengagement measures but said the latest incident highlights the need to strengthen the country's defense posture.

"The professionalism and resolve shown by our military personnel compel us to strengthen our resolve, build up our deterrence, shore up our alliances, and bolster our national commitment to safeguard what is rightfully ours," it said.