First Footage Released of Chinese Coast Guard Boarding and Inspecting Philippine Vessels

On June 17, a Philippine vessel entered the waters near Ren’ai Reef in the Spratly Islands, dangerously approaching and deliberately colliding with Chinese vessels on normal patrol. For the first time, the Chinese Coast Guard boarded and inspected a Philippine vessel. On June 19, both the Global Times and the CCTV-affiliated WeChat account “Yuyuantantian” released footage of the incident.

According to the Global Times, the newly released enforcement footage shows that the Philippine side’s illegal supply operation was well-prepared and resolutely defiant. The footage reveals various targeted tactical adjustments and provocative maneuvers by the Philippine side, effectively debunking their attempt to portray themselves as “victims.” The Chinese Coast Guard used rubber boats and assault boats to “sandwich” and forcibly drive away the Philippine military’s supply boats.

Contrary to their previous strategy of using the wooden “UNAZA” boats for resupply, the Philippine side now employed faster, more maneuverable, and more capable military rigid inflatable boats and modified steel transport vessels as their main resupply force. These steel transport vessels had been reinforced, with steel plates added to the front windscreen and side windows of the pilothouse to “resist” water cannon interception measures used by the Chinese side. The Philippine military’s rigid inflatable boats and modified steel transport vessels served as their main resupply force, as reported by the Global Times.

Furthermore, the Philippine resupply vessels were equipped with machine guns. Despite lawful warnings from the Chinese Coast Guard, the Philippine resupply boats showed no signs of slowing down or turning back, instead accelerating and persistently resisting. The Philippine military’s rigid inflatable boats and modified steel transport vessels were used as their main resupply force.

During the confrontation, the Philippine resupply boats repeatedly performed dangerous maneuvers, attempting to cross the bow of Chinese fishing boats operating normally near Ren’ai Reef, and dangerously approached and deliberately collided with Chinese Coast Guard vessels. These actions seriously violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard boarded and inspected the Philippine vessels for the first time.

Facing the defiant Philippine military boats, the Chinese Coast Guard deployed rubber boats and assault boats to “sandwich” and forcibly drive away the Philippine resupply boats. Additionally, Chinese Coast Guard officers boarded and inspected the Philippine military’s rigid inflatable boats, finding items such as bulletproof vests. Some Philippine personnel cooperated with the inspection.

According to the Philippines, on the 17th, in the vicinity of Ren’ai Shoal in the South China Sea, the Chinese Coast Guard, using a numerical and vessel advantage, forcibly boarded a Philippine Navy supply ship. During this boarding, they used axes, machetes, and other weapons, injuring seven Philippine Navy personnel, damaging the ship, and seizing eight rifles. General Romeo Brawner, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, demanded that China return the confiscated rifles and equipment and compensate for the related losses. He also likened the Chinese actions to piracy.

Reports indicate that, according to Filipino officials, on the 17th, two inflatable boats from the Philippine Navy were carrying out a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. They were repeatedly rammed and boarded by more than eight Chinese Coast Guard speedboats, aiming to prevent the Philippine personnel from delivering food, firearms, and other supplies to an outpost on the shoal.

According to Central News Agency, after a series of clashes and several collisions, the Chinese forces took control of the Philippine vessels, damaging them with axes, machetes, knives, and hammers. Two Philippine security officials told the Associated Press that the Chinese Coast Guard seized eight M4 rifles, navigation equipment, and other supplies, causing injuries to several Philippine Navy personnel, with one losing his right thumb.

These two officials requested anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive conflict publicly.

Today, in Palawan province in western Philippines, General Brawner awarded a medal to the injured soldier and stated at a press conference, “We are demanding that China return our rifles and equipment and compensate for the losses they have caused.”

Brawner added, “They illegally boarded our vessels and took our equipment. Such actions make them akin to pirates.”

Brawner also mentioned that the Chinese Coast Guard wielded long knives and machetes, attempting to strike down unarmed Filipinos. The Philippine personnel could only fend off these attacks with bare hands to avoid a war.

Chinese Coast Guard waves axes at Philippine Navy, forcibly boarding Philippine vessels. Both China and the Philippines claim sovereignty over the waters where the conflict occurred. According to China, the incident was carried out according to the newly passed Coast Guard Law No. 3, and they place full responsibility on the Philippines.

20240623 update:

Insiders Report that Philippine Forces Sprayed Unknown Liquid and Threw Heavy Objects at Chinese Coast Guard

On Monday, June 17, a conflict occurred between the Chinese Coast Guard and a Philippine supply ship at Ren’ai Reef in the South China Sea. The Philippine side claimed that the Chinese side used violent measures, including tear gas and machetes, to “attack” Philippine personnel.

However, China’s state media, Global Times, cited insiders who stated that Philippine personnel were very arrogant in the face of the Chinese Coast Guard’s normal law enforcement. They not only resisted stubbornly and repeatedly collided with Chinese law enforcement boats but also sprayed unknown liquids on Chinese Coast Guard officers, actions that constitute malicious attacks.

According to reports, on June 17, the Philippines dispatched one supply ship and two inflatable boats into the waters near Ren’ai Reef, attempting to deliver supplies to a “beached” warship. During this period, they clashed with Chinese Coast Guard officers.

On-site images show that most of the Philippine supply boats were equipped by the Philippine Navy, including high-speed assault boats capable of mounting heavy machine guns from the Philippine Navy Special Operations Group. Philippine media also reported that eight American-made AR-15 automatic rifles carried by the Philippine military during this operation were seized by the Chinese side. The Philippine Armed Forces have requested the return of the seized rifles.

The Global Times, citing insiders, reported that although the Philippines dispatched paramilitary forces and even navy special operations forces to participate in the infringement operation, the Chinese side still maintained its countermeasures within the scope of normal law enforcement. The Chinese Coast Guard officers participating in this law enforcement operation only carried standard law enforcement tools and did not carry offensive weapons like the Philippine side. They acted reasonably, legally, and appropriately during the law enforcement process, demonstrating a high level of professionalism.

In response to the Philippine military’s claims that the Chinese side used violent measures, including tear gas and machetes, to “attack” Philippine personnel, the insider stated that the Philippine military personnel were once very arrogant. They not only evaded the surveillance and verification of Chinese Coast Guard officers by driving high-speed assault boats but also repeatedly performed dangerous maneuvers by colliding with Chinese law enforcement boats. The Chinese Coast Guard officers ultimately controlled the Philippine boats through “boarding” methods and conducted inspections. During the law enforcement process, the Philippine personnel resisted by throwing metal objects and other heavy items at the Chinese Coast Guard officers and spraying unknown liquids. These actions by the Philippine side constitute malicious attacks.

At a routine press conference on Thursday, June 20, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the Philippine claims were completely a reversal of the truth and an attempt to mislead. The Philippine action was not a humanitarian supply mission. The Philippine vessels not only carried construction materials but also smuggled weapons and equipment, intentionally collided with Chinese vessels, and sprayed water and threw objects at Chinese law enforcement officers. These actions clearly exacerbated maritime tensions and seriously threatened the safety of Chinese personnel and vessels.

Lin Jian further stated that the Chinese side’s necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty were legal, reasonable, professional, and restrained, and therefore beyond reproach. China will firmly protect its legitimate rights and interests while urging the Philippines to immediately stop its maritime infringement and provocations, or face the consequences.

Reference: Cold Weapons Used by Chinese Soldiers on the China-India Border