MANILA — A Philippine navy sailor suffered “serious injury” after what the country’s military called on Tuesday “intentional-high speed ramming” by the Chinese coast guard during a resupply mission in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said in a statement the Chinese coast guard’s “continued aggressive behavior and unprofessional conduct towards a legitimate humanitarian mission is unacceptable.” C hina and the Philippines have accused each other of being at fault for Monday’s collision near a disputed atoll in the South China Sea.
READ: China and Philippines quarrel over South China Sea collision | China coast guard says Philippine supply ship bumped Chinese ship in South China Sea Philippine officials said China disrupted a military mission to resupply sailors stationed in Second Thomas Shoal in a rusting navy ship BRP Sierra Madre that Manila deliberately beached in 1999 to bolster its maritime claim. China’s coast guard disputed this and said the navy vessel deliberately and dangerously approached a Chinese ship in an unprofessional manner, forcing it to take control measures such as “warnings and blockades, boarding inspections, and forced evictions.” The Philippines said China’s account was “deceptive and misleading”.
The Philippine military said on Tuesday the injured sailor had been successfully evacuated and was being treated. It did not specify the nature of the injury. Second Thomas Shoal has been a flashpoint in recent mon.
