Philippines and China argue about 'pointing guns' in the East Sea
Jun 05, 2024
Gaza [Palestine], June 5: On June 4, the Philippine military confirmed that soldiers stationed on a warship stranded in the East Sea did not point their guns at the approaching Chinese coast guard ship as Beijing accused.
Regarding this incident, China Central Television (CCTV) recently broadcast a news report about the Philippine military's supply to soldiers stationed on a warship stranded in the East Sea on May 19. According to CCTV, at least two Philippine soldiers on the ship pointed guns at Chinese coast guard ships.
However, Philippine Army Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner on June 4 denied the accusations, affirming that the soldiers acted professionally. He said that Philippine soldiers only held weapons to prepare for self-defense and did not point them at Chinese forces. He criticized the "provocative" actions of the Chinese coast guard for getting very close to the stranded ship.
Philippine military officials said Chinese rigid-hull pontoon boats entered at a distance of only 5-10 meters and seized some of the supplies dropped from the air to Philippine soldiers on the stranded ship. On June 4, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately responded, calling the Philippines' actions against the Chinese coast guard illegal.
In his opening speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned illegal, coercive and aggressive actions in the East Sea. "In our region, patterns of aggression and militarization, and emerging arms races are threatening the promised land with an uncertain future," President Marcos said.
Meanwhile, also speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Quan stated that there are "limits" on the level of restraint Beijing can exercise when it comes to the East Sea issue . "China is extremely restrained in the face of violations of rights and provocations, but this restraint also has limits," AFP quoted Minister Dong as saying.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
