China Blocks Philippine Medevac with Water Cannon
Philippine Coast Guard vessel forced to wait 13 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal after Chinese interference
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) carried out a medical evacuation of a Navy servicemember from a disputed area in the South China Sea on October 8, facing interference from Chinese vessels during the nearly 10-hour operation.
The servicemember was stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy ship deliberately grounded at Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. The PCG deployed patrol vessel BRP Cabra from Lawak Island to retrieve the patient.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., BRP Cabra encountered China Coast Guard vessel 5306 about nine nautical miles north of the shoal. The Chinese ship activated its water cannon and advanced to within 400 yards of the Philippine vessel, forcing BRP Cabra to retreat to maintain crew safety while staying in contact with BRP Sierra Madre.
Chinese Vessels Block Evacuation Attempt: Philippine
PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela stated that the Chinese vessel had initially been 1.3 nautical miles away before closing the distance. The water stream did not hit BRP Cabra, but the Philippine ship moved farther from the shoal to avoid further confrontation.
The original transfer point, located 2.5 nautical miles northeast of BRP Sierra Madre, was blocked by Chinese vessels. As a result, BRP Cabra was forced to wait 13 nautical miles north of the shoal for hours. At 12:52 p.m., China Coast Guard vessel 5306 issued a radio challenge, demanding the transfer occur at a greater distance from the outpost.
The Philippine Coast Guard adjusted its plans and proceeded with the evacuation under military authority. At 1:46 p.m., BRP Cabra launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) carrying medical personnel and security staff. Within minutes, the Chinese coast guard deployed its own RHIB, which followed the Philippine boat on its 9.2-nautical-mile journey to the transfer point.
BRP Sierra Madre also sent two inflatable boats—one carrying the patient and the other providing escort. The transfer was completed around 3:15 p.m. During the return trip, China Coast Guard vessel 21585 trailed the Philippine RHIB at a distance of 500 yards, while vessel 5306 remained about 600 yards off BRP Cabra’s port side.
Evacuation Completed Under Close Watch
The RHIB safely returned to BRP Cabra shortly before 5 p.m. A PCG medical officer assessed the patient, who was reported in stable condition and received intravenous fluids. The servicemember was then transported to Buliluyan for further medical treatment.
The PCG noted that such evacuations typically take only a few hours but were delayed by the water cannon incident, the forced relocation of the transfer point, and the persistent presence of Chinese vessels.
China offered a different account, with Coast Guard spokesperson Jiang Lue stating that Chinese forces had allowed the evacuation on humanitarian grounds. Meanwhile, another spokesperson, Gan Yu, accused the Philippines of distorting facts and misleading public opinion.
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