Part 4/16:
Following their independence celebrations, Filipino activists rallied outside the Chinese consulate in Manila to protest China's new regulations allowing Coast Guard detentions of foreign vessels suspected of trespassing. These regulations, along with aggressive Chinese maritime actions—such as blocking Filipino resupply missions, deploying tear gas, hurling rocks, and using weapons like knives and axes—intensified tensions in the region. On June 17, 2024, Chinese Coast Guard vessels reportedly attempted to block a Philippine resupply vessel to Sierra Madre, leading to violent clashes that injured eight Filipinos, including injuries caused by Chinese troops wielding weapons.