Manila, Philippines – The United States condemned the blocking by Chinese ships of a Philippine vessel’s humanitarian rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton criticized the irresponsible maneuvers by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy—which risked a collision with the Philippine vessel—and the obstruction of the lawful and routine resupply mission to Ayungin, where military troops are stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre.
The US envoy reaffirmed America’s support for the Philippines as an ally and commended the professionalism and restraint shown.
The US also called on the CCG and the navy warship to cease tactics that escalate tensions and endanger freedom of navigation, as well as the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had earlier confirmed that eight Chinese warships and CCG vessels intercepted a Philippine Navy mission intended to deliver supplies to the crew of the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
The harassment of the Philippine supply ship reportedly occurred 60 nautical miles away from Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila strongly condemned what it described as America’s misguided support for the Philippines, citing Manila’s “unlawful” actions at Ren’ai Reef—which China claims is part of the Nansha Qundao.
At the same time, Beijing reiterated its claim that Manila failed to honor a commitment regarding the delivery of supplies to what China calls an “illegally grounded warship.” The BRP Sierra Madre was grounded at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to serve as Manila’s outpost in the disputed territory.
Manila continues to assert its rights and sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a stance anchored in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
In the Philippine Coast Guard’s latest maritime domain awareness monitoring, a Chinese research vessel was spotted 38 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News