Philippines says troops held weapons but did not point at Chinese coast guard

MANILA – Philippine troops stationed on a warship grounded on a disputed South China Sea shoal held on to their weapons after Chinese coast guard boats came very close to the ship, but they did not point their guns at them, military officials said on June 4.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr disputed

an account by China’s state broadcaster CCTV

of what transpired during a routine resupply mission for Filipino troops on May 19.

CCTV had reported at least two Filipino personnel pointed guns in their coast guard’s direction in the confrontation at BRP Sierra Madre, which Manila grounded on Second Thomas Shoal and turned into a garrison in 1999.

“It was just in preparation for self-defence in case something happens because they were very close,” General Brawner told a press conference, describing the actions of the China Coast Guard as “provocative”.

Military officials said Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats came within 5m to 10m of the BRP Sierra Madre and seized some of the supplies that were airdropped for troops, actions they said were “illegal” and “unacceptable”.

“This was a cause of alarm. So our soldiers, as a precautionary measure, held on to their firearms. It is part of the rules of engagement,” said Gen Brawner.

“We are denying that any of our soldiers pointed deliberately their guns at any of the Chinese... But we will not deny the fact that they were armed,” he added.

Gen Brawner said the BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned vessel of the Philippine Navy so it is authorised to have weapons.

“We have the right to defend ourselves,” he said, adding the Philippines will continue to assert its sovereignty in the area.

China hit back later, insisting the BRP Sierra Madre was illegally grounded on the reef and urging the Philippines to “stop making trouble”.

“The Philippine side has also repeatedly provoked and intensified conflicts, escalating the situation. This is unacceptable to us,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which includes the Second Thomas Shoal.

It has deployed hundreds of vessels to patrol the waterway, including what Manila refers to as “Chinese maritime militia”, which it said were also present on May 19. REUTERS, AFP