Philippine soldiers aboard a civilian vessel that engaged last Saturday in spat for nearly 2 hours standoff with Chinese Coast Guard ships near the disputed Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal that is claimed by both China and the Philippines.
The incident was caught on camera by journalists on board a Philippine ship. The Chinese coast guard vessel tried to block access to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. They even radioed the Filipinos, ordering them to stop encroaching in “Chinese territory” and turn around or "take full responsibility" for their actions.
But the Filipino captain was able to maneuvere to shallow waters where the Chinese vessel cannot follow due to a larger displacement that could risk running aground. The Philippine boat is ferrying food to troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal.
The latest incident involves the Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin in Manila and Ren'ai Reef in Beijing.
Philippine troops are stationed on a beached, rusting military ship on the shoal that analysts say has become a symbol of the country marking its territory.
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