China-Philippine tensions rise at Second Thomas Shoal as resupply deadline looms

Tensions are rising again at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal following a surge in activity from Chinese and Philippine vessels at a critical time for resupplying troops stationed on a stranded warship.

The Philippines said a Chinese navy tugboat had been spotted approaching the BRP Sierra Madre, but downplayed suggestions it would try to tow the ageing ship away.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesman for the Philippine Navy, said the 1,500-tonne tugboat 185 had been sighted just 5 nautical miles (9km) south of the ship on Monday, but it would “take more than a tugboat to pull out BRP Sierra Madre”.

On Tuesday morning, two Philippine coastguard ships – the BRP Melchora Aquino and the BRP Bagacay – and civilian fishery patrol vessel the BRP Francisco Dagohoy were intercepted by the Chinese coastguard ship 5304 while heading towards the shoal, according to satellite tracking data.

They turned around when intercepted near Half Moon Shoal, about 110km southeast of Second Thomas Shoal, and continued to circle the area for some time.

Chester Cabalza, founder and president of Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, said the two sides had been “peacefully coexisting” near Second Thomas Shoal in recent months but now heightened tensions had returned to the area.

South China Morning Post