China detected through unmanned aerial vehicles on July 9 that the Philippines had laid barrier cables near the illegally grounded BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) at China's Ren'ai Jiao in an attempt to reinforce the vessel's defense.
Yang Xiao, an expert on maritime studies, said that the Philippines has been gripped by fear over the past two years, as the defensive capability of the LT-57 has nearly been depleted.
According to a China Coast Guard (CCG) statement, at around 9:00 on Monday, two rubber boats from the LT-57 rapidly approached the CCG patrol boat near the Ren'ai Jiao, which was conducting routine patrols, in a dangerous manner and rammed it, despite repeated clear warnings.
Philippine personnel also maliciously harassed and assaulted Chinese law enforcement officers, endangering the safety of Chinese personnel, said the statement.
Philippines lays barrier cables to reinforce illegally grounded vessel at China's Ren'ai Jiao
A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman announced that, out of humanitarian considerations, Chinese authorities on Tuesday morning permitted the transfer of injured personnel from a Philippine vessel that was illegally "grounded" at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.
Jiang Lue, spokesman for the CCG, said the transfer, under the monitoring of the Chinese side, was conducted via a small boat of a Philippine vessel.
The transfer came a day after Philippine personnel from the illegally grounded Philippine ship LT-57 carried out a malicious provocation, attacking a CCG patrol boat with oars, poles and other tools and injuring a CCG officer's right arm. The CCG responded with maximum restraint, taking lawful measures to stabilize the situation.
The CCG will continue to carry out law-enforcement activities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at Ren'ai Jiao and its surrounding waters in accordance with the law, the spokesman added.
China permits injured Philippine personnel transfer from illegally grounded vessel
