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South China Sea
ChinaMilitary

Chinese state media says Philippine troops pointed guns at coastguards near disputed South China Sea reef

  • Footage released by the state broadcaster CCTV appears to show troops stationed on a grounded warship pointing rifles at a Chinese vessel
  • The incident last month follows a series of confrontations between the two sides around the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal

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Philippine marines pictured on the BRP Sierra Madre days after the alleged incident. Photo: Reuters
Dannie Peng
At least two troops stationed on a grounded Philippine warship on a disputed reef in the South China Sea pointed guns at a Chinese coastguard patrol last month, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
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A post on CCTV’s Frontline social media account on Sunday said the incident took place near the Second Thomas Shoal, which has been at the centre of numerous confrontations in recent months.

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

Chinese coastguard footage appears to show at least two men on the ship holding rifles and pointing them in the direction of the Chinese crew.

The Second Thomas Shoal, which China calls Renai Jiao and Manila calls Ayungin Shoal, falls within the area Manila claims as part of its exclusive economic zone. It deliberately grounded the Sierra Madre, a second world war vessel, on the outcrop in the late 1990s to reinforce its claim.

The alleged incident was captured on footage shared on social media by Chinese state media. Photo: GCTN
The alleged incident was captured on footage shared on social media by Chinese state media. Photo: GCTN
Its recent missions to resupply the outpost have prompted a series of clashes, which have included collisions between ships and China using water cannon against Philippine vessels.
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