Asia

Philippines Says Chinese Coast Guard and Navy Blocked Ayungin Shoal Resupply Run

Published Sep 25, 2026, 9:04 AM · 38 minutes ago

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of an archival May 1969 U.S. Navy view of the tank landing ship USS Harnett County, hull number 821, at anchor on a Vietnamese river beside patrol craft and a truss bridge; the same ship later became the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre, grounded at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal since 1999, shown as historical context rather than the September 24, 2026 resupply mission, rendered in warm ochre and slate-blue pastel strokes.

The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said on September 25 that China Coast Guard and Chinese navy vessels interfered with a September 24 rotation and resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, the navy ship grounded at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the mission was called off at 11:08 p.m. for the safety of personnel after a Chinese warship warned by radio of “compulsory measures.” He said there was no collision and no one was injured. The task force said the actions were inconsistent with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award.

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