China blocks Ayungin resupply mission anew

MANILA, Philippines — The military’s rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) did not reach its destination after 15 Chinese vessels shadowed it 60 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal Thursday night.

A People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship, five Chinese maritime militia ships and nine China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels ganged up on civilian supply boat M/V Lapu-Lapu, despite being escorted by three ships from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard.

PCG spokesman for the WPS Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the mission was discontinued at around 11:08 p.m. due to safety concerns.

“The PLA Navy warship issued a radio challenge warning that it would take ‘compulsory measures’ against the resupply mission,” Tarriela said.

The PCG noted that the CCG vessels shadowing M/V Lapu-Lapu made a maneuver of nearly 1,000 yards, which could have led to a collision.

“Our Coast Guard vessel, BRP Malabrigo, which was deployed to provide security assistance, was also shadowed by CCG vessels,” Tarriela said.

M/V Lapu-Lapu was supposed to deliver essential supplies and personnel to the BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman for the WPS retired rear admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said the incident happened between 8:35 p.m. to 11  p.m. Thursday.

“They did not technically block (our ships) but we were being monitored, driven away, and they were inching closer and closer. From miles until yards, thousands of yards, hundreds of yards – so to avoid escalation, it was the judgment call of the ground commander, the unified commander (to abort),” Trinidad explained.

“These actions are irresponsible, are reckless and are inconsistent with applicable provisions of COLREGs (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), as well as the Philippines’ rights affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the AFP said. 

Trinidad said it is now up to the unified commander on how to carry out a new RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal based on contingency plans in place.

According to him, the AFP does not consider China’s radio messages as radio challenges because the area in question belongs to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

In a separate statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea denounced China’s interference of a lawful Philippine RORE mission. 

“CCG and PLA Navy vessels hindered a routine mission to deliver essential supplies to, and rotate the personnel stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57). In doing so, they put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation.”

Philippines committed to protect maritime infrastructure

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) gave assurance on the country’s commitment to working with the United Nations in protecting critical maritime infrastructure.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week Ministerial Meeting in New York, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that “as an archipelagic nation situated at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines lives the maritime reality every single day.”

“Our presence here today reflects a shared resolve: to ensure that our oceans remain spaces of cooperation, connection, and peace, rather than arenas of vulnerability,” she noted.