MANILA –
The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of the armed forces in the South China Sea, calling its actions “barbaric and inhumane.”
The incident, which the Philippines says took place last month, involved a member of a small contingent of Marines stationed to guard the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine ship grounded at the controversial Second Thomas Shoal, the site of repeated confrontations with China over the past year. .
Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said Coast Guard and Navy boats were harassed by Chinese vessels despite informing them the operation was of a medical nature.
