Two fishermen were seriously injured after an engine explosion caused their fishing boat to nearly sink. The Chinese coastguard quickly responded, deploying rigid-hull inflatable boats to rescue the fishermen. However, the Philippine Coast Guard disputed the Chinese account, accusing them of hindering rescue efforts.
The incident occurred at the Scarborough Shoal, a longstanding maritime dispute between China and the Philippines. Despite a ruling in favor of the Philippines by a Hague-based tribunal in 2016, tensions have continued to escalate. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has increased defense ties with the US to counter Chinese assertiveness.
In a recent escalation, Chinese coastguard boats intercepted a Philippine naval resupply mission, resulting in eight Philippine sailors being injured. This ongoing conflict underscores the complex geopolitical challenges in the region.