Philippine sailor hurt in South China Sea clash with China Coast Guard

2026-07-20

Tensions in the South China Sea

The Philippine military said on the 20th that a Filipino navy sailor was injured after being hit by crew members of the China Coast Guard near Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea, also known in English as Second Thomas Shoal. The military said in a statement that this 'shows a blatant disregard for safety and puts lives at risk'.

According to the military, the incident escalated into a scuffle after it warned a China Coast Guard vessel approaching the Philippine outpost on the shoal. Eight people from the China Coast Guard ship approached a Philippine rubber boat by dinghy and struck one Filipino navy sailor on the head with a wooden stick, injuring him, it said.

Territorial dispute

Ayungin Shoal is under de facto Philippine control through an aging ship that the Philippines intentionally ran aground there. The Philippine military continues regular resupply missions to deliver water and food, while China also claims sovereignty over the shoal.

The Philippine foreign ministry said that 'no act of violence can be tolerated and appropriate diplomatic measures will be taken'. The defence ministry also condemned the incident, saying that 'further acts of violence and harassment will only lead to an even greater loss of trust and credibility in China'.

The China Coast Guard said later on the same day that the Philippine military's account 'distorted the facts and turned black into white'. It said it responded with 'maximum restraint and rationality' because Filipino crew members had first attacked Chinese personnel with sticks and other objects.

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