Philippines accuses China of obstructing resupply mission in South China Sea
The Philippine military suspended the mission after Chinese vessels blocked the convoy and created a serious risk of collision, officials said.
- On Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines suspended a rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal after three Chinese warships and five coast guard vessels obstructed the convoy, citing escalation risks.
- The mission aimed to resupply troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War Two-era ship grounded in 1999 to assert sovereignty within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, which Beijing disputes.
- Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad described the Chinese vessels' actions as "irresponsible" and "reckless," noting the convoy was approximately 111 kilometers from the shoal when hindered.
- "Given the possibility of escalation that could endanger our personnel and vessels, the RoRe mission was temporarily suspended," Trinidad said. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea urged China to cease interference.
- Manila maintains the operation is legitimate under international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing's sweeping South China Sea claims, asserting the arrangement requires no Chinese permission.
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AFP: Chinese interfere during resupply mission
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed Friday interference by Chinese vessels during a routine resupply mission for soldiers manning the BRP Sierra Madre.The AFP said MV Lapu-Lapu, along with Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard vessels, was hindered by three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, including two Houbei-class missile boats 60 nautical miles from Ayungin (Second Thomas) …
China called on the Philippines to immediately stop what it described as provocative actions in the South China Sea, stressing that the Chinese Coast Guard would firmly defend the country ' s sovereignty, territorial integrity, rights and maritime interests.
Manila and Beijing reached a provisional agreement on supply missions to the Thomas Second Reef in 2024.
(Beijing=Yonhap News) Correspondent Jung Sung-jo = The Chinese Coast Guard clashed with a Philippine vessel engaged in troop rotation and resupply in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
China ‘hinders’ PH resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal
The PCG says a Chinese naval warship issued a radio challenge, warning it would take 'compulsory measures' to prevent the mission, while Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels were in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal
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