“It was in preparation for self-defense in case something happened because they were very close,” Brawner told a news conference, describing the actions of the China Coast Guard as “provocative.”
Military officials said Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boats got here inside five to 10 meters of BRP Sierra Madre and intercepted a number of the air-dropped supplies for troops, which they called “illegal” and “unacceptable.”
“It was a cause for concern. That’s why our soldiers kept firearms as a precaution. This is part of the rules of engagement,” Brawner said.
“We deny that any of our soldiers intentionally pointed weapons at any Chinese… But we is not going to deny the undeniable fact that they were armed.”
Brawner said it was the primary time Chinese boats had seized supplies, including food and medicine.
You must not confiscate one other country’s supplies, even in times of war
“This action of taking or confiscating our supplies is illegal,” he told reporters. “You must not confiscate another country’s supplies, even in times of war.”
Chinese personnel aboard the boat later threw the items into the water, said Philippine Navy spokesman West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad.
It was unclear whether or not they were a part of the Chinese coast guard or navy, the military said.
According to the military, Filipino soldiers managed to get well many of the items dropped that day.
Brawner said the BRP Sierra Madre is a ship commissioned by the Philippine Navy, so it can have weapons.
China claims almost the complete South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Bank. It has deployed tons of of ships to patrol the waterway, including what Manila calls the “Chinese Maritime Militia,” which it said were also present on May 19.
China’s foreign ministry on Tuesday declared the Philippines’ actions against the Chinese coast guard within the Second Thomas Shoal illegal.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
