Philippine military reports China Coast Guard injured sailor at Second Thomas Shoal

The Philippine military said a Navy serviceman suffered a serious head injury Monday after an encounter with China Coast Guard personnel at Second Thomas Shoal. The military stated a Chinese rigid-hull inflatable boat with eight personnel approached the outpost, took photos and videos, and reacted violently when two Philippine rubber boats attempted to drive it away.

Philippine personnel reported that Chinese officers struck a crew member with a wooden baton and damaged a rubber boat.

Guard account The China Coast Guard said the Philippines had distorted the facts. It stated that Philippine personnel deployed two rubber boats that ignored repeated warnings, approached and collided with a Chinese patrol boat, and used paddles and poles to attack Chinese officers. China said its personnel responded with warnings and necessary countermeasures to stabilize the situation.

The clash renews tensions at the disputed shoal after a provisional agreement between the two nations in 2024. A Filipino sailor previously lost a thumb in an earlier skirmish involving Chinese personnel. The incident occurs ahead of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Manila this week, where the nations' top diplomats are expected to meet.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also attending.