Chinese Coast Guard Struck Navy Sailor in South China Sea Encounter, Says Philippine Military

MANILA, July 20 (Reuters) – The Philippines accused Chinese coast guard personnel on Monday of aggressively striking one of its navy staff in the head with a wooden baton during an encounter in the South China Sea, an incident its defense ministry described as part of a “clear pattern of provocative and hostile behavior” by China.

A Philippine sailor was injured, and a navy rubber boat was damaged in the incident at Second Thomas Shoal, which Manila calls Ayungin, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement.

The AFP said a Chinese Coast Guard rigid hull