The Philippines said Chinese ships hindered a resupply mission to Manila’s military outpost in a disputed South China Sea shoal, in what could be the first hostile incident in these operations after two years of calm.
Manila’s task force in a statement said it “denounces the interference” of China Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy with a regular Philippine rotation and resupply mission to its outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal on Thursday.
“In doing so, they put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation,” it said in a statement on Friday. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No one was hurt, but the supply mission wasn’t completed, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a separate statement. China Coast Guard vessels carried out “dangerous maneuvers and came within close range” of a Philippine ship, he added.
The incident marks the first publicly known obstruction of a Philippine supply mission since both sides forged a so-called provisional agreement on such operations in July 2024, following a series of violent clashes between Chinese and Philippine personnel at sea.
Just last month, a Philippine official said 15 rotation and resupply missions were carried out successfully without any incident since the agreement was forged.
The Philippines maintains troops on a World War II-era vessel that it deliberately grounded in 1999 to assert its claims over the area. The missions to the outpost are crucial for the Philippines, as these replenish supplies for the troops there, or replace personnel after months of duty.
China, which lay expansive claims over the strategic waterway, opposes the Philippine vessels continuing presence in Second Thomas Shoal and has repeatedly called for its removal.
This report is auto generated from the Bloomberg news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Also read: A border that doesn’t exist: History of China-Pakistan’s boundary pact & India’s staunch rejections