Philippines to continue South China Sea supply missions despite Chinese boats

Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard on the South China Sea, answering questions during a press conference about the recent resupply mission at a hotel in Manila on Nov 11, 2023. — AFP

MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines' coast guard said on Saturday (Nov 11) it would maintain its regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed atoll in the South China Sea even though it expects more Chinese vessels to be sent to the area.

The Philippines regularly sends supplies to a handful of troops living aboard an aging warship that was deliberately run aground on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's sovereignty claims over the atoll.