China stalls medical evacuation of Ayungin soldier
MANILA, Philippines – A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel used water cannons on a Philippine mission to evacuate a Filipino soldier in need of a medical evacuation from the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Thursday, October 8.
In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the CCG’s actions led to a 10-hour delay.
“A transfer like this would normally take only a few hours. It took nearly 10 because the CCG used its water cannon, refused the original rendezvous point, and shadowed PCG assets throughout,” said Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal is where the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship, serves as an outpost for a small group of Filipino soldiers. The vessel was grounded there on purpose in 1999, following Beijing’s militarization of nearby Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.
The shoal and the ship are a flashpoint for tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the critical waterway, including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which is within an area Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.
The soldier, whose medical emergency was not disclosed, “requires immediate medical attention due to a prior medical condition,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said. His medical evacuation — via the BRP Cabra — was ongoing as of Thursday evening.
“The personnel has received initial medical management and remains under observation while arrangements for his emergency evacuation are being facilitated,” said the AFP. The soldier is expected to be on land, at the Western Command (Wescom)’s headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, before the day’s end.
“The AFP remains focused on the health, safety, and welfare of its personnel. Every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that the patient receives the medical attention and care he needs at the soonest possible time,” the military added.
What happened
In a statement, the PCG said the harassment of the BRP Cabra started at 7:30 am on Thursday, when she was some 9 nautical miles north of Ayungin Shoal, and the CCG started using a water cannon against her.
The water cannon, a move typically used to stop vessels from their intended paths, continued running even as the Cabra sailed closer to the shoal. It was not hit, but “to keep the vessel and its crew safe,” the Cabra moved away from Ayungin “and kept radio contact with the CCG while coordinating with LS-57.”
The PCG was supposed to meet the BRP Sierra Madre‘s rubber boat, carrying the soldier, about 2.5 nautical miles northeast of the grounded warship. The CCG “insisted on a different rendezvous point farther from the [BRP Sierra Madre],” according to the PCG. The Cabra adjusted to the CCG’s insistence to “put the patient’s welfare first.”
By 1:46 pm, the Cabra deployed a rubber boat, and the BRP Sierra Madre deployed two rubber boats, one of which had the patient on board. The CCG also deployed a rubber boat that then hounded the Cabra‘s rubber boat “for the entire 9.2-nautical-mile transit.”
The soldier who needed medical attention finally transferred to the PCG’s rubber boat at around 3:15 pm. Another CCG ship shadowed the PCG rubber boat as it traveled back to the BRP Cabra for over two hours.
The PCG’s medical officer checked on the soldier and started intravenous fluids, said the CCG.
All in all, three CCG vessels, one Chinese Maritime Militia ship, and one Chinese Navy warship were monitored in the area as the medical evacuation took place.
“Giving medical care to Filipino personnel stationed there is the government’s sovereign responsibility, not a privilege granted by any foreign power. Using a water cannon during a humanitarian mission is dangerous and unlawful. It puts lives at sea at risk and violates basic standards of maritime conduct,” said the PCG.
Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation located just over 100 nautical miles from Palawan — an hour-long sail via most modern Navy and PCG vessels. It is within the Philippines’ EEZ.
Beijing does not recognize the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed the Philippines’ EEZ and deemed China’s historical claims baseless.
For over two years, little news emerged from Ayungin and the BRP Sierra Madre, following a “provisional arrangement” negotiated between the two countries to ensure the military could supply and rotate personnel on the shoal.
That relative peace was shattered in late September, after the Chinese halted a mission to the rusting warship. It remains unclear if the arrangement still stands. – Rappler.com
