Filipino troops who fought axe-wielding Chinese coastguards with bare hands get medals

The soldiers reportedly used their bare hands to fend off armed coastguard personnel in the South China Sea clash. One man lost a thumb

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Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr pins a medal on Jeffrey Facundo, who lost a thumb in the clash on June 17. Photo: Handout/Armed Forces of the Philippines/AP

Published: 9:13am, 26 Jun 2024Updated: 2:11pm, 26 Jun 2024

Filipino soldiers who reportedly used their bare hands to fight off Chinese coastguards armed with swords and knives were awarded medals by the Philippines for de-escalating tensions.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr bestowed the Order of Lapu-Lapu on 80 soldiers on Sunday, according to the Manila Bulletin.

“I salute the 80 officers and troops who sailed the waters and exercised the greatest restraint amid intense provocation,” he said, adding: “You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined, and yet is compassionate.”

The newspaper reported that 79 Filipino soldiers received the Kamagi Medal, with Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo receiving the Kampilan Medal, an award given to individuals who are “seriously” wounded or injured.

Chinese coastguard personnel hold an axe as they approach Filipino troops on a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on June 17. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Handout via AP

On June 17, Chinese coastguard personnel rammed their boats into Filipino vessels and boarded and attacked them, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which shared photos of the confrontation.