Day After Chinese 'Water Canon' Attack, Philippines Navy to Attempt Another Resupply Mission

The Philippines is set to conduct another resupply mission for Filipino troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57) in the Ayungin Shoal, after an earlier attempt went in vain following China’s alleged interference.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the “harassment” from the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and militia vessels on Aug. 5 prevented one of the two chartered vessels from fulfilling its resupply mission by "repeated water cannoning and continuous dangerous maneuvers."

“Only half of the regular supply was unloaded that’s why it’s not enough,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a radio interview Tuesday.

Aguilar said he is not privy on how long supplies such as food and water will last but noted that there is a need to resupply these military personnel within the next two weeks.

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said a CCG vessel blocked the way of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship within 20 yards, a maneuver that could have resulted in a collision, if not for the quick thinking and action of Filipino coast guard crews.

Meanwhile, China said it “expelled” two Philippines coast guard and two repair ships from ‘its’ territorial waters.