Philippines Accuses Chinese Coast Guard of Injuring Filipino Sailor in Disputed Shoal

The Philippines accuses China’s coast guard of injuring a Filipino sailor during an incident at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Philippine officials say Chinese personnel aboard a motorboat repeatedly struck the sailor on the head with a wooden baton, injuring him and damaging the Filipino crew’s smaller vessel. The Philippines released video footage and said the event reflects “provocative and hostile” behavior. China’s coast guard disputed the claims, saying Filipino boats rammed Chinese patrol craft in a “dangerous manner.” The Philippines is assessing whether medical evacuation is needed.