West Philippine Sea: Imee Marcos calls for Senate probe into Ayungin incident

This frame grab from handout video taken on June 17, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office on June 19 shows an aerial view of a Philippine Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) (C) between two China coast guard vessels during an incident off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19 the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. China defended its actions, with its foreign ministry saying on Wednesday that “no direct measures” were taken against Filipino personnel. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos has filed a resolution seeking to conduct an investigation into China’s recent aggressive actions at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Marcos in filing Senate Resolution No. 155 on Thursday, the ramming incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels on June 17 must be examined further.

“There is a need to examine further the events that took place on 17 June 2024 in Ayungin Shoal in order to determine how the government can better protect Filipino servicemen and citizens during rotation and resupply missions to the Ayungin Shoal,” the resolution read.

“…and to ascertain what changes should be made to the current strategies employed by the Philippine Government in order to allow the country to more effectively and safely assert its sovereign rights,” it added.

READ: West Philippine Sea: Filipino sailors fought armed CCGs ‘with bare hands’ 

The ramming incident on June 17 between China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and Filipino boats during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre resulted in a Philippine Navy sailor having his thumb severed, with several other naval personnel sustaining minor injuries.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the CCG also used water cannons and even boarded Philippine vessels.

READ: PH Navy sailor loses thumb, others injured in CCG ramming incident

Senator Francis Tolentino earlier called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convene the National Security Council to determine the country’s next steps in response to China’s aggression.

He tagged the incident as “detestable” and “infuriating.”