South China Sea: Philippine resupply mission blocked, Manila accuses Beijing

The operation was intended to deliver essential supplies and rotate the Philippine military personnel stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. This former landing ship was deliberately grounded on the shoal in 1999 to maintain a Philippine presence in the disputed area.

According to the Philippine National Force for the West Philippine Sea, Chinese vessels hindered the mission and endangered personnel. Coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told Reuters that there were no collisions or injuries, but the operation could not be completed. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond.

Manila believes these maneuvers violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s extensive maritime claims. The two countries had reached a provisional arrangement in July 2024 aimed at limiting confrontations during resupply missions to the Sierra Madre.