Dramatic video shows Chinese coast guards attacking Philippine naval vessels with knives, axes

Manila released new footage of Chinese coast guard sailors brandishing knives, an axe and other weapons in a clash with Philippine naval vessels. The scuffle happened near a strategic reef in the South China Sea.

In a post on X, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that in a "brazen act of aggression", Chinese forces obstructed critical humanitarian rotation and resupply operations at BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal on June 17. 

The Philippines also claimed that the Chinese coast guard is employing physical attacks, bladed weapons, blaring sirens and blinding strobe lights. 

The clash took place Monday as Philippine forces attempted to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship that was deliberately grounded atop the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's territorial claims. 

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The clash became the latest in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months. 

According to Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner, the "outnumbered" Filipino crew had been unarmed and had fought with their "bare hands". 

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The Philippine military said that a Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the clash, in which the Chinese coast guard confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment including guns. 

The dramatic footage released by the Philippine military late Wednesday showed small boats crewed by Chinese sailors shouting, waving knives and using sticks to hit an inflatable boat as a siren blares. 

A voice speaking Tagalog can be heard in one clip saying someone had "lost a finger". Manila's footage of the clash is slightly different from the photos released by Beijing's state media on Wednesday. Beijing's video did not show Chinese forces wielding weapons. 

Watch the video here: 

The head of the Philippine armed forces said that Chinese troops are similar to the "pirates". He asked China to return the rifles and equipment they took. 

"We are demanding that the Chinese return our rifles and our equipment and we are also demanding that they pay for the damage they caused," Brawner Jr said at a press conference in the Philippines' western Palawan province. 

"They boarded our boats illegally and seized our equipment. They’re now like pirates with these kinds of actions," he said. 

China calls it 'totally bogus' 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was asked about the videos on Thursday to which he said that Manila's comments on the clash were "totally bogus accusations that confuse black with white". 

The spokesperson blamed the Philippines for the confrontation, saying they had "escalated tensions" and accused them of ramming Chinese boats. Lin said the Philippine boats had been trying "to sneak in building materials, but also tried to smuggle in military equipment". 

Beijing has insisted that its coast guard behaved in a "professional and restrained" way and claimed "no direct measures" were taken against Filipino personnel. 

(With inputs from agencies)