Philippine forces on a Navy ship stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands have accused China of “hostile and unjustified interference” after Chinese boats confiscated supplies meant for them. The incident, which took place on May 19, was the first time that such an action occurred.
The Philippine military strongly condemned the move made by Chinese personnel who approached within 10 meters of the Sierra Madre ship and seized a package intended for Filipino forces. According to General Romeo Brawner, commander of the Philippines Army, such actions are illegal even during wartime.
In response to this incident, China accused the Philippines of causing trouble in the region and reiterated its claim that the Sierra Madre was illegally parked in the reef area. Despite this, Beijing downplayed claims made by other countries in the South China Sea and has militarized artificial islands in the region.
Second Thomas Shoal Island is located around 200 kilometers from Palawan Island in western Philippines and over a thousand kilometers from any major Chinese landmass. While China claims sovereignty over these disputed waters, an international ruling has found no legal basis for its claims.
As a result of this incident, tensions between Filipino and Chinese forces continue to rise as both sides assert their respective claims in the region.
