Philippine Sailor Suffers ‘Serious Injury’ in Chinese ‘High-Speed Ramming’ Attack

The Philippine military said on Monday that one of its sailors suffered a “serious injury” when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel conducted an “intentional high-speed ramming” attack against a Philippine supply ship in the South China Sea.

The Philippine ship was attempting to deliver supplies to a tiny military outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal, constructed from the hulk of a ship called the BRP Sierra Madre that was deliberately run aground in 1999, when a Chinese coast guard vessel rammed it.

Chinese ships made “dangerous and deliberate use of water cannons, ramming, and blocking maneuvers” during the encounter, according to the Philippine military statement.

Philippine officials did not describe the injury suffered by the wounded sailor in detail. They said the individual was successfully evacuated and is receiving medical treatment. Filipino personnel have been injured during two recent encounters with Chinese ships in the area.