BEIJING, China: Chinese state media reported on June 2 that personnel on a Philippine ship pointed guns at the country’s Coast Guard in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in May.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), at least two people on the Philippine vessel near the Second Thomas Shoal were seen carrying guns and pointing them towards the Coast Guard.
A 29-second video accompanying the report shows a masked man briefly holding up an object resembling a rifle. This incident adds to the growing tensions in the region, where Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The South China Sea is a crucial conduit for over US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. The incident reportedly occurred during a Philippine mission to supply troops stationed on a rusting warship that Manila grounded in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claims.
In an address on May 31 at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. subtly chastised Beijing. He condemned the “illegal, coercive and aggressive actions” in the South China Sea, which he said undermine the vision of peace, stability, and prosperity for Southeast Asian countries.
Confrontations between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea have become more frequent and tense over the past year. Incidents include China’s Coast Guard using water cannons and accusations by Manila that its vessels were rammed by Chinese ships.
This ongoing friction underscores the volatility in the region, highlighting the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
