Philippines's supply mission in South China Sea faces Chinese obstacles

In a mission to supply troops stationed on a rusty World War Two-era ship in the South China Sea, the Philippines experienced a familiar cat-and-mouse encounter with Chinese vessels.

A Reuters team accompanied one of the Philippine Coast Guard's vessels escorting the supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels attempted to obstruct and chase the Philippine contingent, claiming the vessels entered the waters without Chinese permission.

During the operation, two Chinese ships blocked two Philippine coast guard vessels, while another Philippine ship found itself encircled by a Chinese coast guard vessel and three maritime militia vessels.

In one concerning instance, a Chinese ship approached dangerously close to the Philippine vessel that reporters were on board. And multiple Chinese militia vessels attempted to block its path.

Emmanuel Dangate, commanding officer of the Philippine Coast Guard, noted that such dangerous maneuvers, shadowing activities, and blocking efforts were routine during their missions. He stressed the importance of delivering supplies to BRP Sierra Madre, which supports Philippine soldiers stationed in the area, reported Reuters.

The Philippines deliberately grounded the warship in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim over the shoal, situated within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

China's coast guard accused two Philippine supply boats and two coast guard ships of entering waters adjacent to the shoal without the Chinese government's permission. China claims the Philippines is transporting construction materials to reinforce the rusty warship, which it views as a violation of its sovereignty in the shoal. The Philippines asserts that it is providing water and food to its troops.

During Friday's mission, a U.S. Navy plane was observed overhead, signaling international interest in the situation.

In a radio message to its Chinese counterpart, the Philippine Coast Guard cautioned that such Chinese actions would impact bilateral relations, deeming them "illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing."

This marks the second successful resupply mission since August 5 when China's coast guard used a water cannon to deter Philippine ships.

In 2016, the Philippines secured an international arbitration award against China, invalidating Beijing's sweeping claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. Multiple nations, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines, have competing claims in various areas of the South China Sea.