Philippines’ MANILA According to the administration, Philippine boats supplied crucial supplies to military forces stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite Chinese vessels’ attempts to obstruct the resupply mission.
The grounded BRP Sierra Madre was successfully reached by two supply ships on Wednesday evening, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, “despite attempts by a significant number of China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels to block, harass, and interfere with the rotation and resupply mission.”
Three CCG ships were nearby, according to Ray Powell, project manager of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation’s Project Myoushu, on X (formerly Twitter). Also sent out were twelve Chinese marine militia to “enforce blockade.”
The mission is a “legitimate exercise” of the Philippine government’s administrative duties over the West Philippine Sea, according to the NTF-WPS, which made this point clear.
Beijing uses a “nine-dash line” on maps to assert its sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea, including areas that Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea. An arbitration judgement in 2016 ruled that this claim is unfounded.
Early in August, the CCG stopped and fired water cannons against Philippine boats transporting supplies for the troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, including food, water, and fuel. Due to China’s efforts, one of the boats was unable to discharge cargo.
A 300-meter-long barrier that the CCG had erected at the entrance to the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc, a well-known fishing spot off the coast of the province of Zambales, was taken down by the PCG last month. Gaea Katreena Cabico
