Philippine Forces Complete Supply Mission to Disputed Shoal Despite Chinese Presence

On Friday, Philippine forces accomplished a central mission by delivering essential supplies, including food and fuel, along with personnel, to a territorial outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. This operation took place amidst escalating tensions and recent displays of strength from China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, according to two security officials.

Officials confirmed to The Associated Press that the resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded warship serving as Manila’s military outpost, was successfully carried out without incident. Sources have been requested to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the matter. A source indicated that the mission had faced delays for several weeks to prioritize security measures.

In a significant development, the delivery occurred just days after China escalated its presence near the shoal. This included the deployment of additional Coast Guard and suspected militia vessels, some equipped with heavier weaponry, alongside a helicopter and a surveillance drone. 

During what appeared to be a training exercise, we observed a Chinese Coast Guard vessel discharging a formidable water cannon. Meanwhile, Filipino forces intercepted another ship that approached within 50 meters of the Sierra Madre.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro strongly denounced these actions as “gross violations of international law,” asserting that the Philippines will continue to safeguard its maritime rights. The shoal is in Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Yet, Beijing maintains that it falls under Chinese territory as part of its extensive claims over almost the entire South China Sea.

Philippine officials reported that two U.S. Navy destroyers were on patrol in the South China Sea during Friday’s mission. There was no confirmation regarding whether the patrols were part of a coordinated effort with the Philippine resupply mission or merely a coincidence. The United States, a longstanding ally of the Philippines, has consistently reiterated that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty extends to Filipino forces engaged in operations within the South China Sea.

Since last year, the Philippine military has completed a minimum of nine deliveries to the Sierra Madre. The missions unfolded smoothly, adhering to a temporary nonaggression agreement established between Beijing and Manila in July 2024. The delicate balance, however, has begun to falter in light of China's recent military expansion in the South China Sea.

In 1999, the Philippines made a strategic decision to ground the Sierra Madre on the reef, establishing a lasting presence that underscores its territorial claim. China has encircled the shoal with coast guard and militia vessels, leading to ongoing tensions and confrontations between the two nations.

The enduring impasse highlights the unpredictable nature of the South China Sea, a crucial artery for global trade that is also partially claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Although Washington does not assert any territorial claims, it consistently conducts naval patrols in the region to contest Beijing's broad assertions and provide reassurance to its allies.

Currently, Philippine forces continue to assert their dominance over the outpost. As Chinese deployments become increasingly assertive, experts caution that even standard supply missions might trigger a broader conflict in the contested waters.

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