MANILA. The Philippine military has denied accusations that its troops pointed weapons at Chinese coast guard vessels during a tense encounter near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident occurred on May 19 during a routine resupply mission for Filipino soldiers stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded warship turned garrison.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner refuted claims made by China’s state-run CCTV, which reported that Filipino personnel had aimed guns at Chinese coast guard boats during the confrontation. Brawner clarified that while troops held onto their weapons, they did so strictly for self-defense and did not point them at the Chinese vessels.
“It was just in preparation for self-defense in case something happens because they were very close,” Brawner stated at a press conference, labeling the Chinese coast guard’s actions as “provocative.”
Military officials described how Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats approached within five to ten meters of the Sierra Madre and seized supplies that had been air-dropped for the Filipino troops, actions deemed illegal and unacceptable by the Philippine side.
“This was a cause of alarm. So our soldiers, as a precautionary measure, held onto their firearms. It is part of the rules of engagement,” Brawner explained. “We are denying that any of our soldiers pointed deliberately their guns at any of the Chinese… But we will not deny the fact that they were armed.”
Brawner emphasized that the Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship intentionally grounded on the reef in 1999, remains a commissioned vessel of the Philippine navy, thus authorized to carry weapons. “We have the right to defend ourselves,” he asserted, vowing that the Philippines would continue to assert its sovereignty in the contested area.
The Second Thomas Shoal, known as Renai Reef in China, is part of the South China Sea, a region almost entirely claimed by China. The area is patrolled by hundreds of Chinese vessels, including what Manila refers to as “Chinese maritime militia,” which were reportedly present during the May 19 incident.
China’s foreign ministry condemned the Philippines’ actions at the shoal, with spokesperson Mao Ning stating at a Tuesday briefing, “On this issue, the Philippines is the one who makes frequent infringements and provocations. The Philippines sending vessels to Ren’ai is in itself illegal, the Philippines is escalating the situation and we cannot accept it.”
As tensions continue to simmer in the South China Sea, both nations remain steadfast in their positions, raising concerns over potential future confrontations.
