In a recent escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, Chinese ships targeted Philippine vessels with water cannons during a resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in unspecified injuries and significant damage to one of the Philippine boats. The incident occurred as part of Manila’s latest effort to maintain its presence at the disputed outpost, amid ongoing conflicts over territorial claims in the region.
The mission involved the Unaizah Mae 4, a civilian-contracted boat operated by the Philippine Navy, which had departed from Palawan. This initiative was part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ strategy to provide transparency concerning the anticipated Chinese interference. The Unaizah Mae 4, alongside the Philippine Coast Guard escorts BRP Sindangan and BRP Cabra, faced repeated barrages from Chinese water cannons. This aggressive act incapacitated the Unaizah Mae 4, necessitating its tow back to port due to extensive damage.
WATCH | At 08:38 AM, the Philippine supply vessel Unaizah May 4 was subjected to direct water cannoning by two CCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal. The UM4 supply boat sustained heavy damages at around 08:52 due to the continued blasting of water cannons from the CCG vessels. pic.twitter.com/r540s80Qd2
— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) March 23, 2024
This confrontation is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of harassment by Chinese forces against Philippine resupply missions to the South China Sea outposts. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that the China Coast Guard attempted to block the operation by deploying barriers at the entrance of the shoal’s lagoon, a maneuver that required Philippine Marines onboard the Sierra Madre to deploy RHIBs for completing the resupply and personnel rotation.
The tension between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea has been a longstanding issue, with the Second Thomas Shoal, located approximately 200 kilometers from the Philippine island of Palawan, being a focal point of dispute. In the 1990s, the Philippines grounded an aging World War II-era navy transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, on the shoal to enforce its claim to the area. Since then, the ship has served as a military outpost, manned by Philippine marines.
The recent clash underscores the growing concerns over China’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea, where it has made extensive territorial claims that overlap with those of the Philippines and other neighboring countries. This incident came days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington’s commitment to defending Philippine access to the waterway, emphasizing the mutual defense treaty between the United States and the Philippines as “ironclad.”
The Philippine military successfully completed the resupply mission despite the challenges, marking another episode in the ongoing struggle to maintain sovereignty and access to vital maritime routes. The international community has expressed concern over the potential for escalation in the region, highlighting the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the disputes peacefully.
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