Here we go again 🙄 #China's using smaller coast guard ships this time though. Very bad optics the last time kasi.

"On Friday morning, the #PhilippineCoastGuard escorted supply vessels to #SecondThomasShoal, also known as also known as #AyunginShoal, in the #SpratlyIslands, where a handful of troops are stationed on a crumbling navy ship, the task force said." #BRPSierraMadre

#Philippines condemns Chinese boats' 'illegal' actions in Ayungin Shoal
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/08/2294806/philippines-condemns-chinese-boats-illegal-actions-ayungin-shoal

Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, the top military commander overseeing #Palawan and the country’s claims in the #WestPhilippineSea, calls the Nido observation post “the other #BRPSierraMadre,” referring to the grounded warship that serves as a military outpost in #Ayungin. #ElNido #Palawan #Philippines #WestPHSea

Troops at Nido outpost see vital role amid isolation
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/218670/troops-at-nido-outpost-see-vital-role-amid-isolation?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

"On August 22, two #PCG ships escorted boats commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (#AFP) to bring supplies to #Philippine Marines stationed at the #BRPSierraMadre, a grounded ship that serves as the Philippine outpost in those waters. It was the #Philippines’ second resupply mission in August, after a routine mission on August 5 was partially stopped by #China." #AyunginShoal

PCG says nothing ‘humanitarian’ about China’s moves vs #Ayungin resupply mission
https://www.rappler.com/nation/coast-guard-nothing-humanitarian-china-moves-resupply-mission-ayungin-west-philippine-sea/

“Notwithstanding attempts by #ChinaCoastGuard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels to block, harass, and interfere with the supply mission, the Philippine supply ships … successfully completed their supply mission,” the task force added. #AyunginShoal #BRPSierraMadre #Philippines

The task force said Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2 were escorted by #PCG vessels #BRPCabra and #BRPSindagan during the mission, while Philippine Navy ships were also on standby.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/218171/ph-coast-guards-resupply-mission-to-brp-sierra-madre-crew-successful

"The structures, according to the senator, could serve as permanent lodging for soldiers stationed at the rusty #BRPSierraMadre, a warship intentionally grounded in the shoal in 1999 as a Philippine military outpost and now at the center of fresh tensions between #Manila and #Beijing." #Ayungin #AyunginShoal #Philippines #WestPHSea

P100-M funding sought for PH Ayungin buildup
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217872/p100-m-funding-sought-for-ph-ayungin-buildup?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

'I don't know where he got his information,' Senator #JinggoyEstrada says of Roberto Tiglao's claim that it was former president Estrada who made the promise to #China to remove #BRPSierraMadre from #Ayungin. #AyunginShoal #SecondThomasShoal #WPS #SouthChinaSea

Jinggoy, JV refute Tiglao’s claim that #Erap made promise to China
https://www.rappler.com/nation/jinggoy-jv-refute-tiglao-claim-erap-made-promise-china-ayungin-shoal/

“Yung resupply mission na yan, ‘pag dinaan mo ‘yan sa #helicopters, hindi na yan mapipigil,” Trillanes, who worked as a backdoor negotiator for President #BenignoAquino in #China, said over radio DWPM. #AyunginShoal #WPS

Trillanes urges #AFP to use helicopters anew to supply #BRPSierraMadre

"#PUERTOPRINCESA, #Philippines – The Philippines is looking at several options to strengthen its hold on the disputed #SecondThomasShoal (#AyunginShoal) in the #SouthChinaSea including refurbishing a grounded and rusting warship it uses as a military outpost, a move that would likely anger #Beijing." #BRPSierraMadre #China

https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-refurbishing-grounded-ship-option-strengthen-hold-ayungin-shoal/

The day prior, #China called on the #Philippines to remove the #BRPSierraMadre. In response, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told reporters in Manila: “We will not abandon #AyunginShoal. We are committed to the Ayungin Shoal.” #SouthChinaSea #SecondThomasShoal

Philippines doubles down on Ayungin after China claims ‘illegal’ activities
https://www.rappler.com/nation/dfa-doubles-down-ayungin-shoal-after-china-claim-illegal-activities-august-2023/

"#MANILA, #Philippines — Senators condemned on Sunday the Chinese Coast Guard’s (#CCG) harassment against the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and military supply ship bound for #AyunginShoal.

In separate statements, senators aired their frustration on CCG’s use of water cannon against PCG vessels delivering supplies to military troops stationed on #BRPSierraMadre in Ayungin Shoal." #SouthChinaSea

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in #WPS: ‘Bullying must stop’
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217339/senators-condemn-chinas-water-cannon-attack-in-wps-bullying-must-stop?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=gallery

"#MANILA, #Philippines — Senators condemned on Sunday the Chinese Coast Guard’s (#CCG) harassment against the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and military supply ship bound for #AyunginShoal.

In separate statements, senators aired their frustration on CCG’s use of water cannon against PCG vessels delivering supplies to military troops stationed on #BRPSierraMadre in Ayungin Shoal." #SouthChinaSea

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in #WPS: ‘Bullying must stop’
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217339/senators-condemn-chinas-water-cannon-attack-in-wps-bullying-must-stop?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=gallery

"#MANILA, #Philippines — Senators condemned on Sunday the Chinese Coast Guard’s (#CCG) harassment against the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and military supply ship bound for #AyunginShoal.

In separate statements, senators aired their frustration on CCG’s use of water cannon against PCG vessels delivering supplies to military troops stationed on #BRPSierraMadre in Ayungin Shoal." #SouthChinaSea

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in #WPS: ‘Bullying must stop’
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217339/senators-condemn-chinas-water-cannon-attack-in-wps-bullying-must-stop?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=gallery

"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal #SecondThomasShoal #Philippines

Wreck, Rats and Roaches : Standoff in the #SouthChinaSea (2014 article)
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2014/07/world/south-china-sea-dispute/