Filipino soldier wounded in head during Ayungin Shoal clash with China

AGROUND. An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, March 9, 2023.

(2nd UPDATE) The clash takes place just days before foreign ministers — including US State Secretary Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi — arrive in Manila for ASEAN events

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino soldier was injured during a quick confrontation with China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea early Monday, July 20.

CCG personnel used a long pole the military described as a “wooden baton” to hit the soldier, whose identity was not publicly divulged as of posting time. The strike resulted in an open wound on the soldier’s head, around 1.5 inches long. The soldier was given first aid as soon as he returned on board the BRP Sierra Madre.

“The CCGV personnel reacted violently and aggressively by striking a Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton, causing injury and damaging the Navy rubber boat operating within the area where our country enjoys sovereign rights under international law,” said the military in a statement.