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South China Sea
AsiaSoutheast Asia

South China Sea: Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of blocking sick soldier’s evacuation

  • The Philippine coastguard said their Chinese counterparts ‘intentionally rammed’ a ship transporting the service member

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A Philippine navy serviceman boards a vessel while Chinese coastguard personnel (left) try to block it in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: PCG/AFP
Reuters
The Philippine coastguard on Friday accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick armed forces member in the South China Sea, calling it “barbaric and inhumane”.
The incident, which the Philippines said took place last month, involved a member of a small contingent of marines posted to guard the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel grounded at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, the site of repeated confrontations with China this past year.

Coastguard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said coastguard and navy rubber boats were harassed by the Chinese vessels, despite having informed them the operation was of a medical nature.

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“The barbaric and inhumane behaviour displayed by the China coastguard has no place in our society,” Tarriela said in a statement.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing will allow the Philippines to send vital supplies to the grounded warship if it gives advance notice.

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“But the Philippine side should not use it as a pretext to send construction materials to the grounded warship,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing on Friday.

Tarriela said the Chinese coastguard “engaged in dangerous manoeuvres and even intentionally rammed the PN RHIB while transporting the sick personnel.”

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