SUMMARY
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday, June 7, condemned what it called China’s “barbaric and inhumane” attempt to block and harass a Philippine mission to evacuate sick personnel in the West Philippine Sea last month.
Videos of the May 19 incident, made public for the first time on Friday, show China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel aboard vessels and smaller boats sailing close to PCG and Philippine Navy personnel, before issuing what seemed like a warning via speaker.
Two larger CCG ships – with bow numbers 21551 and 21555 – were also close by.
“During our attempt to bring the PCG HSRB alongside the PN RHIB at the rendezvous point, we were harassed by vessels and small boats from the China Coast Guard through blocking operations,” PCG spokesperson f…