MANILA, Philippines — On June 20, a Filipino soldier stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre was injured during a quick confrontation with China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. CCG personnel used a long pole the military described as a “wooden baton” to hit the soldier resulting in an open wound to his head.
The following day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Chinese Ambassador to Manila Jing Quan. In an interview with reporters, Jing described the meeting as “constructive,” saying both sides had expressed their positions and “true feelings.” He also confirmed that Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz had been summoned in Beijing.
On July 22, Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro raised a long list of Manila’s grievances and concerns against China during the first foreign minister-level meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Meetings and the Post-Ministerial Conferences.
On July 23, the Philippine Coast Guard said that their Chinese counterparts used water cannons and “dangerous maneuvers” against Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships during a mission to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
