Manila's re-supply plans on atoll to continue amid Chinese 'coercion'

Robert Besser
17 Nov 2023, 18:02 GMT+10

Despite more Chinese vessels being sent to the area, this week, the Philippines' coast guard said it will continue its regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed atoll in the South China Sea
A small number of Filipino troops are still stationed aboard an aging warship on the Second Thomas Shoal, which was deliberately run aground in 1999 to assert Manila's sovereignty claims over the atoll
China has laid claim to most of the South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal, and has deployed ships to patrol the area

MANILA, the Philippines: Despite more Chinese vessels being sent to the area, this week, the Philippines' coast guard said it will continue its regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed atoll in the South China Sea.

A small number of Filipino troops are still stationed aboard an aging warship on the Second Thomas Shoal, which was deliberately run aground in 1999 to assert Manila's sovereignty claims over the atoll.

China has laid claim to most of the South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal, and has deployed ships to patrol the area.

During a press conference, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said, "We are still going to carry out these dangerous missions despite our limited number of vessels and despite the increasing number of Chinese vessels they are going to deploy."

"We have to make sure the supplies will still reach our troops," he added.

The Philippines has condemned the Chinese coast guard for "unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers," including using a water cannon against Filipino boats to disrupt re-supply missions.

In response, the Chinese Embassy said this week, that Filipino ships have infringed on Beijing's sovereignty, and China's coast guard took necessary enforcement measures.

On the same day, the U.S. State Department, which has signed a defense treaty with Manila, said it stands with the Philippines.

Reversing the pro-China stance of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, and leading to a rise in tension in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pursued warmer ties with Washington.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Shanghai Sun.

More Information

7 ℃

Fair in Shanghai/Hongqiao

International

Section

Finland says Russia to blame for migrant crowding eastern border

HELSINKI, Finland: After Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) earlier this year, hundreds of migrants from the Middle ...

Heavy snowfall, blizzards reported in Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria

CHISINAU, Moldova: Over the weekend, heavy snowfall and strong blizzards in Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria left one person dead and ...

House Ethics Committee report results in Santos expulsion

WASHINGTON D.C.: After a House Ethics Committee report found substantial evidence that he broke the law, New York Republican representative ...

Israel had blueprint of 7 October attack plan - The New York Times

In a report by The New York Times, it has been revealed that Israeli officials had obtained a detailed battle ...

Myanmar ethnic group alliance captures trade gate on Chinese border

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Kyar Win, spokesperson for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, which launched a surprise offensive last month against ...

U.S. backs Israel's restart of earth-shattering war in Gaza

While Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has been frantically shuttling around the Middle East trying to stop the Israeli coflict ...

Asia Business

Section