Philippine Coast Guard Accuses China of Ramming Vessel During Medical Evacuation

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has accused a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel of deliberately ramming a Philippine boat transporting a sick soldier on May 19th.

The incident occurred in the disputed South China Sea, near the grounded Philippine Navy BRP Sierra Madre stationed at Second Thomas Shoal. The PCG deployed a boat to retrieve the soldier and informed the CCG of the mission's humanitarian nature beforehand.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, stated that despite communication efforts, Chinese vessels engaged in "dangerous maneuvers" and "intentionally rammed" the Philippine vessel. 

"The barbaric and inhumane behavior displayed by the China Coast Guard has no place in our society," Tarriela said in a statement. "What should have been a simple medical evacuation operation was subjected to harassment."

Fortunately, the Philippine Coast Guard reports the sick soldier was brought to a nearby hospital and received medical attention. The incident has heightened tensions in the South China Sea, a region with overlapping territorial claims by China, the Philippines, and several other Southeast Asian nations.