China claims it allowed medevac in West PH Sea; Tarriela says it’s ‘ridiculous’

This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — China’s claim that it allowed the medical evacuation of a navy personnel stationed in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal is “ridiculous,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said on Wednesday.

Tarriela made the response to Chinese state tabloid Global Times’ report that Beijing allowed the medical evacuation of personnel in BRP Sierra Madre upon Manila’s request.

“On July 7, at the request of the Philippines, the Chinese side allowed the Philippines to send a sick person from the illegally grounded warship on [Ayungin Shoal] based on humanitarian considerations,” said Global Times in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

READ: West PH Sea: China tried but failed to block medical evacuation of sailor – PCG

In direct response to this, Tarriela said: “The claim made by the People’s Republic of China that they have permitted a medical evacuation for a sick navy personnel, in order to present themselves as humanitarian while asserting their authority to allow such operation to be carried out in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, is ridiculous.”

The China Coast Guard on Sunday tried but failed to block the medical evacuation of a navy personnel in BRP Sierra Madre, Tarriela said on Tuesday.

READ: West PH Sea: CCG, militia vessels intercept 2 PCG boats near Ayungin

“This statement further confirms their illegal deployment of vessels within our EEZ and highlights their government’s view that the preservation of human life and welfare requires approval,” Tarriela said.

“Evidently, the deployment of numerous boats to delay the medical evacuation for hours just shows that they have a low regard for a humanitarian mission,” he added.