Robin Padilla condemns alleged China Coast Guard assault on PH Navy personnel in WPS

Senator Robin Padilla condemned what he described as the "violent and aggressive" actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine military personnel during a confrontation at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Padilla denounced the reported assault on a member of the Philippine Navy, saying the incident was "not just a simple altercation" but a "blatant affront" to Filipino troops carrying out their duties within waters covered by the Philippines' maritime rights and jurisdiction under international law.

"Sobra na (Enough is enough)," Padilla said, adding that the Philippines' continued restraint has been met with escalating intimidation and violence.

The senator called on the government to take "stronger and more concrete" measures to protect Filipino personnel and uphold the country's maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea. He also urged authorities to hold those responsible for the alleged assault accountable, saying diplomatic protests alone were no longer sufficient if such incidents continued.

"Hindi ako sang-ayon sa digmaan. Ngunit hindi rin ako sang-ayon na ang paghahangad natin ng kapayapaan ay abusuhin at ituring na kahinaan. Sumusobra na ang China Coast Guard," Padilla said.

(I do not support war. But neither do I support allowing our desire for peace to be exploited and mistaken for weakness. The China Coast Guard has gone too far.)

On Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused the CCG of clubbing a Filipino sailor with a baton as they approached a grounded vessel that has long served as a Philippine garrison in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines said in a statement that a Chinese rigid-hull inflatable boat carrying eight men had circled and taken photos and video of the BRP Sierra Madre, which sits on the flashpoint Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Spratly archipelago.

"These latest aggressive actions and assault by the CCGV demonstrate a blatant disregard for safety, endanger the lives of our personnel and escalates tensions in the West Philippine Sea," the AFP had said.

Meanwhile, the CCG said Philippine personnel "first attacked Chinese law personnel with paddles and sticks" during an encounter in the West Philippine Sea. —LDF, GMA News