Philippines rejects South China Sea gun-pointing allegations: ‘we have the right to defend ourselves’

“It was just in preparation for self-defence in case something happens because they were very close,” Brawner told a press conference, describing the actions of the China Coast Guard as “provocative”.

Military officials said Chinese rigid-hull inflatable boats came within five to 10 metres of the BRP Sierra Madre and seized some of the supplies that were air dropped for troops, actions they said were “illegal” and “unacceptable”.

“This was a cause of alarm. So our soldiers as a precautionary measure, held on to their firearms. It is part of the rules of engagement,” Brawner said.

“We are denying that any of our soldiers pointed deliberately their guns at any of the Chinese … But we will not deny the fact that they were armed.”

Brawner said this marked the first time that supplies, including food and medicine, had been seized by Chinese boats.

“This action of getting or confiscating our supplies is illegal,” he told reporters. “You’re not supposed to confiscate the supplies of another country, even in war.”

Chinese personnel on board the boats later dumped the items in the water, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said.

It was not clear if they belonged to the Chinese coastguard or navy, the military said.

The Filipino troops were able to retrieve most of the items that were airdropped that day, the military said.

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Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of damaging its vessel in South China Sea

Brawner said the BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned vessel of the Philippine navy so it is authorised to have weapons.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which includes the Second Thomas Shoal. It has deployed hundreds of vessels to patrol the waterway, including what Manila