In what is being compared to the Galwan moment for the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) personnel this week were seen launching a violent attack on a Philippine Navy ship. Utilizing “bladed weapons, blaring sirens, and blinding strobe lights,” the Chinese forces mirrored the tactics used during the infamous Galwan incident with India in mid-June of 2020.
On June 19, Chinese forces obstructed key humanitarian rotation and resupply operations conducted by the Philippine forces at BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is a submerged reef located in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. This strategic shoal falls within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, although China has continued to make aggressive claims over it. The Philippines maintains a presence on the shoal by stationing personnel on the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy ship.
According to a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), “In a brazen act of aggression, the CCG obstructed the AFP… CCG personnel violently attached ropes to tow… They also employed blaring sirens to create chaos, disrupt communication, and divert attention.” The AFP further elaborated, “Despite facing overwhelming numbers and harassment from the CCG, Filipino troops valiantly fought back and defended their position. The AFP maintains professionalism and steadfast commitment to uphold international law and preserve peace in the region.” Videos of the incident have since been released, adding to the intensifying drama.
Providing a detailed account of the clash, the Philippines stated, “The CCG personnel then began hurling rocks and other objects at our personnel. They also slashed the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), rendering them inoperable.
. All the while, the blaring sirens were employed non-stop.” The report emphasized, “The CCG continued its relentless harassment of AFP troops through a series of aggressive actions… These include physical attacks, the use of bladed weapons, the constant blaring of sirens to create disorientation, and the deployment of blinding strobe lights to impair the vision and coordination of the Filipino soldiers.”
However, China has predictably denied the Philippines’ account, a move consistent with its pattern of dismissing accusations of aggression in the volatile South China Sea.
This recent confrontation has drawn stark parallels to the Galwan Valley clashes, where Chinese troops engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat with Indian soldiers using similar crude weapons. The Galwan Valley clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, including Colonel B Santosh Babu, with China officially confirming the deaths of four soldiers, although unofficial estimates suggest Chinese casualties could be significantly higher. The diplomatic and military relations between China and India have plummeted since that grim episode.
The situation at Ayungin Shoal is a significant escalation in the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, an area that serves as a crucial maritime corridor for international trade. The confrontations and claims over this region have long been a point of contention not only between China and the Philippines but also involving other nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, which also lay claim to parts of the South China Sea.
Many international observers view the recent aggression as part of a broader strategy by China to assert its dominance and control over the South China Sea, an area rich in marine biodiversity and potential underwater resources, including oil and natural gas. The United States, along with other Western nations, has often voiced its support for the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations in their maritime disputes with China. These nations have called for adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to resolve the disputes peacefully.
The standoff also raises questions about the effectiveness of international diplomatic efforts and mechanisms to manage and resolve such conflicts. Despite numerous dialogues and summits focused on de-escalating tensions and promoting cooperation, confrontations like the one at Ayungin Shoal show that achieving lasting peace and stability in the region remains a significant challenge.
In conclusion, the violent altercation at Ayungin Shoal marks a sharp escalation in the Philippines-China maritime dispute and evokes memories of the deadly Galwan Valley clashes between China and India. It underscores the broader geopolitical tensions in the region and the urgent need for effective international mediation and conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea.
