In a significant development amidst heightened tensions in the South China Sea, Filipino forces successfully delivered food, fuel, and new personnel to a Philippine outpost on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. This comes in the wake of recent Chinese maneuvers, which included water cannon drills and the deployment of additional coast guard and suspected militia vessels. Two high-ranking Philippine security officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the situation, confirmed the success of the mission completed Friday without any incidents. One official highlighted that the operation was delayed for several weeks to ensure its security and efficacy. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding the latest Philippine maneuver. Historically, China has laid claims to the fishing atoll and almost the entirety of the South China Sea, often calling for the removal of the grounded warship, BRP Sierra Madre, from Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine military has successfully executed nine such resupply missions without incident, bolstered by a temporary nonaggression agreement signed with China in July 2024. However, tension resurfaced last month when China amplified its presence with more coast guard vessels, some equipped with powerful machine guns, supported by a helicopter and a surveillance drone. Additionally, a Chinese coast guard vessel was observed engaging in water cannon drills, seen as either a show of force or intimidation attempt. A separate Chinese ship came perilously close to the Sierra Madre but was blocked by Philippine forces. In response to these actions, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro denounced China's behavior in Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within Manila's Exclusive Economic Zone, calling it a blatant violation of international law. Concerns remain that future supply missions by the Philippine military may face obstruction from the seemingly reinforced Chinese presence. The Philippines positioned the Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 as a deliberate act to claim territorial rights. Over time, China surrounded the area with its ships, leading to prolonged military standoffs until the landmark nonaggression arrangement was brokered last year. The South China Sea is claimed by several nations including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, each holding overlapping territorial claims. While the US has no territorial claims in the region, it has reiterated its commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, emphasizing its obligations should any conflict arise in the waters of the South China Sea.
Report by The Associated Press - Manila, Philippines
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