Philippine Sailor Injured in China Ramming Incident

A Philippine navy sailor suffered "serious injury" after what the country's military called "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."

At least eight Philippines sailors were injured when China Coast Guard 'searched' a Philippines vessel in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, local media reported.

The Philippine military said the injured sailor had been successfully evacuated and was being treated.

Videos taken by the Philippines' Armed Forces showed Chinese Coast Guard vessels ramming Philippine Navy's rigid hull inflatable boats.

Chinese Coast Guard personnel were also seen wielding weapons and pointing strobe lights at sailors which the Philippines says was used to harass and threaten Filipino troops.

China and the Philippines have accused each other of being at fault in a collision near a disputed atoll in the South China Sea.

Filipino officials also claimed that Chinese CCG personnel punctured navy boats using their bolos and also seized their guns.

It was the first time since the CCG implemented its new rules of engagements in the vast disputed sea.

Under the new guidelines, China can detain suspected trespassers for up to 60 days.

The Philippine ship was on a resupply mission to a grounded World War II-era warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, on the shoal claimed both by Beijing and Manila.

While Beijing accused Manila of “violating” the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, the latter called China's claims “deceptive and misleading.”

​​​​​​​The two maritime neighbors have conflicting claims over the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.