The Philippines has announced that it will continue to supply military provisions in the South China Sea, a disputed territory, despite threats such as the Chinese Coast Guard increasing its deployment of vessels.
According to major foreign media on the 12th, Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, stated at a press conference the previous day, "Although the Chinese Coast Guard is increasing its deployment of vessels, we will definitely supply the necessary items to our soldiers."
On the 10th, a Chinese Coast Guard ship fired water cannons at a Philippine supply vessel near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. In response, the Philippine government condemned China, saying, "This dangerous and coercive behavior endangered the lives of our personnel."
On the other hand, Gan Wei, spokesperson for the Chinese Coast Guard, rebutted through the official social media (SNS) account, stating, "We took tracking, surveillance, and monitoring measures against the Philippine vessel in accordance with the law," and added, "The actions of the Philippines violated China's territorial sovereignty."
China claims that 90% of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, is its territorial waters. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) dismissed these claims by ruling against China. However, China continues to insist on its sovereignty, causing friction with neighboring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
The Philippines has stationed marines on the Thomas Shoal since 1999 under the pretext of protecting its grounded warship. Meanwhile, China has demanded that the Philippines tow away the warship, accusing it of illegally occupying the shoal.
On August 5th, the Chinese Coast Guard again sparked controversy by firing water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel attempting to deliver supplies to the Philippine warship at the Second Thomas Shoal.
Earlier in February of the same year, tensions escalated between the two countries when a Chinese vessel aimed lasers at a Philippine ship supporting the delivery of food and military supplies.
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