China Accuses Philippines Of Pointing Guns At Chinese Coast Guard, Philippines Denies Accusations, Says China Seized Philippine Supplies

Philippines: "Chinese have no authority or right to confiscate the [Philippine] supply packages".

SPRATLY ISLANDS - After China accused at least two Philippine men on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre vessel of pointing guns at Chinese Coast Guard officers patrolling waters near Ren'ai Jiao [The Second Thomas Shoal], the Philippines said that while the soldiers aboard the vessel have a right to defend themselves, none of them pointed guns deliberately at any Chinese officers.

The BRP Sierra Madre LST-542-class tank landing ship, deliberately grounded in the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, now serving as Philippine base

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The incident in question was said to have occurred by Chinese state-run media on May 19th while the Philippine Navy transported supplies to military personnel stationed at the grounded vessel.

Although China sees the territory where the vessel is grounded as Chinese territorial waters, the Spratly Island chain is contested by multiple nations, including:

• China

• Brunei

• Malaysia

• Philippines

• Taiwan

• Vietnam

The Spratly Islands military settlements as of March 29th, 2009 are as follows:

Philippines: 2 Chinese Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats Came Within Meters Of Philippine Forces, Seized Philippine Supply Package, Blocked Evacuation Of Sick Soldier