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Philippine forces successfully carried out a supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal last week, despite Chinese government vessels reportedly jamming communications throughout the operation, according to two senior Philippine officials.<\/p>\n
The mission on Friday involved transporting food, fuel and a new rotation of navy personnel to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the Philippines\u2019 outpost at the disputed atoll.<\/p>\n
The officials said the resupply was completed \u201cwithout any untoward incident,\u201d even as Chinese Coast Guard and other vessels maintained their presence around the shoal. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.<\/p>\n
One of the officials said Chinese Coast Guard ships interfered with communication systems in and around the shoal during the hours-long mission. The interference was described as consistent with China\u2019s security practices in the remote area.<\/p>\n
The official added that the jamming also appeared intended to hinder drone monitoring by the United States and other international actors that support adherence to maritime rules.<\/p>\n
China has not released an immediate statement on the matter. Beijing has previously asserted sovereignty over the fishing atoll and nearly the entire South China Sea, and has routinely called for the Philippines to remove the Sierra Madre from the shoal.<\/p>\n
The Philippine military has completed 12 supply and personnel rotation missions to the Sierra Madre since last year without major incident. Direct confrontations have eased following a temporary nonaggression arrangement agreed between China and the Philippines in July 2024, intended to prevent clashes at the shoal.<\/p>\n
Tensions briefly spiked in August when China deployed more coast guard and suspected militia vessels to the area. Some of the vessels carried more powerful machine guns and were supported by a helicopter and an unmanned surveillance drone.<\/p>\n
During the same period, a Chinese Coast Guard ship was seen firing a water cannon, which officials viewed either as a drill or an intimidating display. Another Chinese vessel approached to within 50 metres of the Sierra Madre, but two Philippine boats blocked it from coming any closer.<\/p>\n
The Philippines deliberately grounded the Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to maintain a permanent presence in the area. Since then, China has stationed ships around the atoll, resulting in frequent encounters during supply missions over the years.<\/p>\n
Diplomatic engagement between the two countries led to last year\u2019s nonaggression arrangement, which helped reduce immediate risks of confrontations. However, the situation remains fragile as both nations continue to assert their maritime claims.<\/p>\n
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims in the wider South China Sea. Although the United States is not a claimant, Washington has reiterated its treaty obligation to defend the Philippines if its forces, aircraft or vessels come under armed attack, including in the contested waters.<\/p>\n