Marcos Condemns China Clash; Envoy Summoned Amid South China Sea Tensions

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has condemned the alleged assault by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) personnel on a Filipino Navy sailor near Second Thomas Shoal, Malacañang announced Tuesday, reaffirming the government's commitment to pursuing diplomatic means to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea. In response to the confrontation, China summoned Manila's ambassador, accusing the Philippines of provoking the incident and misrepresenting facts. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rejected Beijing's account as "false and misleading." "The President condemns the incident," said Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro, adding that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the AFP are coordinating on the details. "Any act of violence against Filipino personnel is unacceptable and will merit the appropriate diplomatic action." China claimed that Philippine rubber boats rammed a Chinese patrol boat and that Filipino personnel attacked Chinese officers with oars and long sticks. The Philippine side, however, maintains that its personnel acted in accordance with international law and national rights, and rejects China's narrative. The incident occurred just before a scheduled bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The United States condemned China's "dangerous and aggressive actions" and urged Beijing to "immediately cease its destabilizing conduct." The US State Department reiterated its support for the Philippines as an ally and reaffirmed the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive maritime claims. Meanwhile, Australia announced a P413-million assistance package for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities, including drones and operator training. Philippine security officials pointed out that the presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in close proximity to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine vessel in the area, constituted an unlawful intrusion into waters where the Philippines exercises sovereign rights. A Filipino Navy serviceman reportedly sustained a head injury, and one rubber boat was damaged during the encounter.