-
Philippine soldiers involved in a clash with the Chinese coast guard last week have been awarded medals.
-
Their ships were attacked last week while delivering supplies in the disputed South China Sea.
-
The award ceremony is unlikely to ease tensions with China in the disputed region.
Philippine soldiers who Reportedly used their bare hands to defeat Chinese coast guards armed with swords and knives, were awarded medals by the Philippines for de-escalating tensions, according to the Manila Bulletin.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu to 80 soldiers on Sunday, the newspaper said.
“I salute the eighty officers and troops who plied the waters and exercised the utmost restraint in the face of intense provocations,” he said, adding: “You have demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one of courage, determination yet compassionate. “
Seventy-nine Filipino soldiers received the Kamagi Medal, while Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo received the Kampilan Medal, an award given to individuals who are “severely” wounded or injured.
On June 17, Chinese coast guard personnel rammed their boats into Philippine ships, boarded them and attacked them, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. photos of the confrontation.
Two days after the incident, the Philippines also released one video that said Chinese coast guard personnel wielded an axe, threw rocks and cut boats into pieces with “bladed and pointed weapons.”
Gen. Romeo Brawner, the Philippines’ top military commander, criticized China for what he described as “reckless and aggressive” behavior, which he said took place while the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard were delivering supplies to soldiers in the disputed South China Sea.
He said the collision resulted in injuries and one soldier lost a thumb.
Brawner described the incident as “a blatant violation of international maritime law, Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights.”
But China has defended the move, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying it acted in accordance with the law.
The incident is seen as Beijing’s latest act of aggression in the South China Sea, which also involves others lasers, water cannons, maritime militiasand even the alleged poisoning of fishing waters.
However, this latest move by the Philippines is unlikely to defuse tensions in the disputed waters and is likely to be seen as another provocation by China.
“As we award these medals, we remember that on June 17, we made a conscious and deliberate choice to stay on the path of peace,” Marcos Jr. said. at the presentation of the medals, according to the Manila Bulletin.
China has claimed sovereignty over the South China Sea for decades, and it has been true rejected outright in The Hague in 2016.
On June 15, China passed a law allowing its coast guard to detain foreign ships and people in waters under China’s jurisdiction for up to 60 days. paper by the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Sari Arho Havrén, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, specializing in China’s foreign relations, told BI last week that China wants to change the status quo in its waters “by force” and “exhaust” neighboring countries into giving in to its territorial claims.
Read the original article at Business insider
