Akbayan, a political party in the Philippines, has strongly condemned what it described as a 'barbaric' and deliberate attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Philippine Navy personnel in Ayungin Shoal.

The incident, which occurred on July 20, 2026, involved the CCG illegally approaching a Philippine outpost, BRP Sierra Madre, and using a wooden baton to strike a Filipino serviceman, causing injury.A Philippine Navy rubber boat was also damaged during the confrontation.

Akbayan President Rafaela David called the attack 'savage, uncivilized, and utterly indefensible,' emphasizing that it was a 'deliberate and violent assault by agents of the Chinese state against Filipino servicemen.

' She urged the Philippine government to respond strongly, including expelling the Chinese ambassador and imposing a travel ban on China's defense minister.

The party also highlighted the importance of defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, stating that 'no amount of intimidation will change that.

' The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the incident, stressing the need for a firm response to protect national dignity and uphold international norms.

The attack has sparked renewed calls for vigilance in the region, where tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial claims have been escalating.