The Philippine Coast Guard says the China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy obstructed a Thursday resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino troops are stationed aboard a grounded World War Two-era warship, putting personnel at risk.
The PCG described the mission as a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation and said China’s actions were inconsistent with international law and a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping South China Sea claims. The Philippines called on China to stop interfering with lawful resupply missions and said it would continue its operations. China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond.
Manila and Beijing reached a provisional arrangement on resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal in 2024. The Philippine foreign ministry said it helped prevent confrontations between the two sides.
