Philippinen werfen chinesischer Küstenwache nach gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen Piraterie vor

The Philippines has accused China’s coastguard of piracy in the disputed South China Sea after a violent confrontation in which it says its boats were rammed, punctured with knives and boarded by Chinese personnel.

One Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the incident, according to the Philippines military, which said Chinese personnel also destroyed communication equipment, seized personal mobile phones and took away unopened cases containing guns.

China has blamed the Philippines for the collision, which happened on Monday, and has said “no direct measures” were taken against Filipino personnel, adding that its coastguards “were professional and restrained”.

However, the Philippines military published a photo on Wednesday of what it said was a Chinese coastguard brandishing an axe at Filipino forces. Another photo showed smashed windshields and communications and navigational equipment on a Philippine navy boat.