MANILA – The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned what it described as the violent and unlawful actions of China Coast Guard personnel against Philippine servicemen stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) at Ayungin Shoal.

In a statement, the NTF-WPS said the incident occurred at around 9:15 a.m. when China Coast Guard Vessel (CCGV) 21560 deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that approached the BRP Sierra Madre at close range.

According to the task force, Philippine personnel repeatedly instructed the Chinese RHIB to leave the area, but it refused to withdraw and instead escalated the encounter.

The NTF-WPS said a Chinese crew member struck a Philippine serviceman on the head with a wooden baton during the incident, causing injuries that required immediate medical attention.

The task force said the latest incident against Philippine personnel carrying out what it described as lawful duties was unacceptable and heightened tensions while increasing the risk of miscalculation at sea.

It added that the safety and welfare of Filipino servicemen remain a priority.

The NTF-WPS said Philippine personnel in the West Philippine Sea would continue to exercise professionalism, restraint, and adherence to international law while protecting the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction and ensuring the safety of personnel deployed in the area.

The task force also called on the China Coast Guard to immediately stop what it described as dangerous and unlawful actions that endanger lives and undermine regional peace and stability.

It likewise urged China to comply with its obligations under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to demonstrate its commitment to a rules-based maritime order in the West Philippine Sea and the broader South China Sea.