Chinese state media says Philippine troops pointed guns at coast guards near the disputed reef in the South China Sea.

Lina PortmanJune 2, 2024

4 2 minutes read

At least two soldiers stationed on a Philippine warship stranded on a disputed reef in the S.South China Sea pointed guns at a Chinese coast guard patrol last month, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

A post on CCTV's Frontline social network on Sunday said the incident took place near Second Thomas Shoal, which has been the center of many clashes in recent months.

The message said that on May 19, Manila carried out an airdrop of supplies to the “illegally grounded” Sierra Madre and that the Chinese side “responded in accordance with the law.”

Footage from the Chinese coast guard appears to show at least two men on board the vessel holding rifles and pointing them at the Chinese crew.

The second Thomas Shoal, which China calls Renai Jiao and Manila calls Ayungin Shoal, lies within the area claimed by Manila as part of its exclusive economic zone. She deliberately beached the Sierra Madre, a World War II ship, on the outcrop in the late 1990s to bolster her claims.

The alleged incident was captured in footage shared on social media by Chinese state media. Photo: GCTN

His recent missions to resupply the outpost have led to a series of clashes, including collisions between ships and China uses water cannon against Philippine ships.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military commentator, said the latest incident reflected the growing nature of Philippine “provocations.”

“This does nothing to ease tensions between the two nations,” he said.

“From China's point of view, we are now showing great restraint, but there is a limit to restraint and the end of patience.”

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, based at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the garrison stationed on the Sierra Madre belonged to the Philippine Marine Corps, “and armed troops on board would have been no difference from rival garrisons around the disputed South China Sea, including those in China.

He said: “As for the accusation that armed Filipino soldiers at the outpost were pointing their guns at the Chinese, the same has also been reported about forces deployed by other parties at sea from southern China.

“What we see here is a back and forth of narratives and counter-narratives employed in the current tension between China and the Philippines.

“This CCTV release is part of Beijing's attempt to regain lost ground in the public discourse over its South China Sea conflict with Manila.”