Brawner blasts China Coast Guard for injuring Filipino sailor; calls for help from allies to ensure peace in WPS

General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), condemned China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) which caused injury to a Philippine Navy (PN) personnel.

In response, the military chief has called on its allies to help the AFP defend the country’s rights in the WPS.

“The Chinese Coast Guard has no right or legal authority to interfere with our legitimate operations or damage our assets within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” Brawner said in a statement on Tuesday night, June 18.

“This reckless and aggressive behavior has caused bodily harm and constitutes a blatant violation of international maritime law, Philippine sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” he added.

He was referring to the June 17 rotation and reprovision mission (rore) in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal where AFP supply boats collided with Chinese vessels.

The CCG also used water cannons to drive away the AFP boats carrying food and other provisions to soldiers manning the BRP Sierra Madre outpost. Chinese forces also boarded one of the supply boats, reportedly seized the firearms of the Filipino soldiers, towed some of the boats and punched holes in others to render them immobile.

The incident left a Philippine Navy (PN) personnel losing his right thumb, and several others injured.

Brawner “strongly denounced” the CCG’s actions, saying these not only infringed upon the Filipinos’ maritime rights “but also pose significant risks to regional stability.”

“The AFP remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will collaborate with international partners to ensure and secure peace and stability across the West Philippine Sea and the Indo-Pacific Region,” he said.

Several nations have expressed support for the Philippines and denounced China’s latest aggressive actions including the United States of America, Canada, South Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France, as well as the European Union (EU).

Brawner flew to the Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan on Wednesday morning, June 19, to personally oversee the situation of the soldiers and the vessels. — Martin Sadongdong