The United States has condemned what it described as “dangerous” and “irresponsible” maneuvers by Chinese maritime forces that disrupted a Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, on September 24.
In a statement issued Sunday, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said the China Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) used blocking maneuvers that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented the completion of the routine resupply mission.
“The United States strongly condemns the use of dangerous blocking and other irresponsible maneuvers by the China Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a lawful and routine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on September 24,” Lipton said.
The US envoy also expressed support for the Philippines, praising the professionalism and restraint of Filipino personnel during the incident.
“We stand by our Philippine Allies and laud their professionalism and restraint,” Lipton said.
He called on the China Coast Guard and PLAN to stop what he described as escalatory tactics that threaten freedom of navigation and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier confirmed that three PLAN warships and five China Coast Guard vessels interfered with the Philippine rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre. The mission was temporarily suspended after the Chinese vessels approached and shadowed Philippine ships, with one China Coast Guard vessel reportedly closing to about 1,000 yards of the Philippine supply vessel, creating a serious risk of collision. No collision or injuries were reported.
The Philippine supply vessel M/V Lapu-Lapu was accompanied by Philippine Navy and Coast Guard support vessels during the mission, which was intended to deliver supplies and rotate personnel stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippines’ military outpost at Ayungin Shoal.
The incident was the first reported disruption of a routine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal since Manila and Beijing reached a provisional arrangement in July 2024 covering the rotation and resupply of personnel and provisions for the BRP Sierra Madre. The agreement was intended to help manage tensions surrounding the disputed shoal.
Philippine officials have maintained that the resupply missions are lawful and consistent with the country’s rights under international law.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the Chinese interference put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the latest incident would not deter the Philippines from carrying out future resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, although he did not disclose operational details on how or when the next mission would be conducted.
