"Our country is not in the business of instigating wars," Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Sunday, apparently responding to the escalating maritime confrontations.
"In defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that we would like to settle all these issues peacefully," Marcos said in a speech to troops of the Western Command unit in charge of the South China Sea.
Long-standing arguments over the Shoal
The clash occurred on June 17 in waters around the Second Thomas Shoal during a routine resupply mission.
The Philippine military said that illegal and aggressive action by the Chinese Coast Guard interfered with its work, with four of its boats punctured and firearms confiscated in addition to the severe injuries suffered by the sailor.
They also said that Chinese Coast Guard personnel illegally boarded the ships and took their crews' cellphones - a move the Philippine government calls illegal and a violation of their sovereignty.
They demand that China return the equipment and pay for any damage suffered.
But China argues that its forces were cracking down on illegal operations by the Philippine ships.
Rising tensions between the Philippines and China
The Philippines has effectively controlled the shoal since 1999, forming a maritime base around the waters and docking its warships in the reef.
For its part, China has drawn the so-called nine-dash line and claims jurisdiction over almost all of the South China Sea. Beijing has also built artificial islands and military bases in the area to strengthen its claim.
On July 12, 2016, a tribunal of judges at the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissed China's claims to the waters.
But China rejected the ruling and continued with dredging and landfill work in the South China Sea, prompting protests from the Philippines and other nations with claims in the region.
Tighter ties with US
Amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, tensions particularly escalated after the Marcos administration took office in June 2022. Marcos has rapidly deepened security cooperation with the US and been vocal in criticizing Chinese actions in the region.
Tensions have ramped up this year. In March, Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannon at a Philippine vessel, causing damage. And earlier this month, Manila accused Chinese vessels of trying to block the evacuation of a sick serviceman.
Bladed weapons, ramming
The Philippine military released video footage on June 19 showing Chinese Coast Guard personnel striking a Philippine vessel with what appears to be sticks. Small coast guard boats are also seen ramming into the vessel.
They said the Chinese personnel wielded bladed weapons during the incident. Aerial images show two Chinese ships hemming another Philippine vessel in from both sides.
China's response
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on June 20 that "the Philippines side has been calling white black and falsely accusing China."
China claims that if it receives notification in advance, it will allow the Philippines to transport items - but only water and food.
As tensions rose, the Philippine government said on June 22 that they will make their resupply plans public, aiming to avoid unexpected incidents in the area.
Expert: China stepping up its pressure
Observers say that China will continue to put pressure on the Philippines.
Former Philippine defense secretary Orlando Mercado spoke with NHK in an interview. Mercado led the policy of intentionally grounding a warship on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, and turning the reef into a military outpost.
He said Beijing is trying to win the confrontation "without firing a shot."
Mercado added, "This is part of an obvious and long stated strategy of China, which is actually grey zone warfare. I think the time has come for us to really put our foot down."
He says protecting a Philippine military outpost on a shoal in the South China Sea is in the interest of many countries.
"It's not just how many but where would you place your outposts to deter a planned takeover in that area," he added.
Mercado said there was a plan to ground more ships on the shoal, but that it was ultimately not realized due to a change in government in Manila.
"We should have done it yesterday or 10, 20 years ago. It's not late. Let's still do something."
He called for support from the international community, including the United States and Japan.
"The good thing about it now is that we are not alone in protecting these interests because these interests are dovetailed with the interests of many countries that use the international lanes of communication, and one-thirds of world trade passes through these waters," he added.