11-8-2023 (MANILA) Following a recent incident in which Chinese boats obstructed a resupply mission, the Philippines has announced plans to send additional supplies to a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea as early as next week. The mission aims to support Filipino troops stationed on Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. The previous resupply attempt was disrupted when China Coast Guard ships blocked and fired water cannon at Philippine coast guard vessels and charter boats carrying essential provisions.
The incident has sparked a diplomatic dispute between Manila and Beijing, drawing international criticism of China’s actions. Ayungin Shoal, where a small group of marines is based on the grounded World War II-vintage ship BRP Sierra Madre, depends on regular deliveries for sustenance and survival.
During the previous resupply mission, one of the charter boats successfully unloaded its cargo, while the other was prevented from reaching the shoal. Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, the chief of the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Palawan island, stated that the next delivery is expected “early next week hopefully, but definitely before the supply runs out. We’re on the clock now.” Carlos expressed hope that there will be no repetition of the water cannoning incident and indicated that an airdrop was also being considered as an alternative.
Located approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Palawan and over 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island, Second Thomas Shoal has been a focal point of tensions between the two countries, which have a history of maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
China claims nearly the entire waterway, a crucial route for trillions of dollars in annual trade, and has disregarded an international ruling that rejected its claims as having no legal basis.
General Romeo Brawner, the Philippine military Chief of Staff, emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s presence in the disputed waters during his visit to the Western Command in Palawan. He stated, “We have plans to deploy more ships, even our aircraft, to be able to guard our exclusive economic zone… we really have to establish our presence in the area, it’s all about numbers.”
China routinely deploys hundreds of vessels to patrol the South China Sea and asserts control over reefs in the region. Philippine boats are frequently shadowed or blocked by Chinese coast guard and navy ships in the contested waters.
China has defended its actions during the recent incident as “professional” and accused Manila of engaging in the “illegal delivery of construction materials” to the grounded ship.
The Philippines maintains that Second Thomas Shoal falls within its exclusive economic zone, justifying its efforts to resupply troops and conduct repairs on the BRP Sierra Madre.
