7 soldiers hurt in Ayungin mission

 From Panay News (Jun 18, 2024): 7 soldiers hurt in Ayungin mission (By Adrian Stewart Co)

MANILA – Seven Filipino soldiers were reportedly hurt in China’s alleged aggressive action against Filipino personnel performing rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Monday.

From the seven injured soldiers, one had his finger cut off, in a melee with Chinese personnel, as stated in a report by Joseph Morong of GMA Integrated News.

The Chinese personnel also reportedly seized eight high-powered firearms from the Filipino soldiers, while their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) were also punctured.

The report further said that four Philippine RHIBs were “hostaged” by China but were later released following negotiations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reportedly had used a different style for the resupply mission, deploying six vessels from different entry points, but none reached Ayungin Shoal due to China’s aggressive actions.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) said on Monday that ships of the Philippines and China have reportedly collided in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal earlier that day.

The CCG said the Philippine ship illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal and ignored China’s repeated solemn warnings.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, however, denied the incidents, saying that they would not dignify the misleading claims of China.

For months, China and the Philippines have traded accusations over dangerous maneuvers and collisions at Ayungin Shoal, an atoll in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Several incidents have happened when the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, an aging warship there deliberately run aground to protect Manila’s maritime claims.

The Ayungin Shoal, which China calls Ren’ai Reef, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone and is part of its continental shelf./PN

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