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These images released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on July 20, 2026 show China Coast Guard personnel assaulting a group of Philippine Navy sailors during a routine patrol at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, resulting in the head injury of one of the Filipino servicemen. (Courtesy: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The Philippine government on Monday condemned what it described as another act of aggression by the China Coast Guard (CCG) after a Philippine Navy serviceman was injured during a confrontation near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said a China Coast Guard rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) carrying eight personnel from CCG vessel 21560 illegally approached the grounded Philippine Navy ship at close range and circled the area while taking photographs and videos.
The AFP said two Philippine military rubber boats responded by calmly and non-confrontationally driving the Chinese vessel away.
However, the Chinese personnel allegedly turned violent, with one China Coast Guard member striking a Philippine Navy serviceman on the head with a wooden baton, injuring the soldier and damaging the Navy rubber boat.
“The CCG 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,” the AFP said.
The military said the Western Command immediately provided medical treatment to the injured serviceman and is assessing whether he needs to be medically evacuated from BRP Sierra Madre.
The AFP said the latest incident demonstrates “a blatant disregard for safety,” endangers Filipino personnel, and further escalates tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Despite the confrontation, the military emphasized that Philippine troops exercised professionalism and discipline while carrying out lawful sustainment operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
“Our 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,” the AFP said.
The military also called on the People’s Liberation Army, the China Coast Guard, and China’s maritime militia to stop what it described as illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the West Philippine Sea and to comply with the 2016 Arbitral Award affirming the Philippines’ maritime rights under international law.
The Department of National Defense (DND) likewise condemned the incident.
Defense spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the latest confrontation reflects a continuing pattern of provocative and hostile behavior that further erodes China’s credibility.
“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,” Andolong said.
The DND also commended the Filipino troops stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre for their professionalism and dedication.
Meanwhile, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned the assault, stressing that the safety and welfare of Filipino servicemen remain paramount.
“This latest act of aggression against personnel performing their lawful duties is unacceptable and serves only to heighten tensions and increase the risk of dangerous miscalculation at sea,” the NTF-WPS said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said any act of violence against Filipino personnel at Ayungin Shoal is “unacceptable” and will prompt appropriate diplomatic action.
In a statement, the DFA mentioned that it is working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to gather details about the incident.
“The DFA is in coordination with the AFP regarding the details of the incident. Any act of violence against Filipino personnel is unacceptable and will merit the appropriate diplomatic action,” the statement read.
The DFA also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipino personnel in the disputed waters.
“The DFA is committed to upholding the safety and well-being of Filipino personnel in BRP Sierra Madre who are lawfully performing their duties,” the DFA added. — Rex Espiritu & Katrina Manubay
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
