Chinese vessels were spotted in an “invasion” mode at Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, following the disruption of a Philippine resupply mission over the weekend. According to a maritime security expert, this was a calculated show of force by Beijing.
Satellite images taken by Planet Labs revealed that as many as 11 Chinese maritime militia vessels were observed in the shoal, with dozens more clustered around its periphery.
Ray Powell, the SeaLight director at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, described this invasion as highly unusual and potentially unprecedented.
On Sunday, China Coast Guard ships used water cannons and even rammed a Philippine vessel during the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy warship intentionally grounded in Ayungin to serve as a Philippine outpost.
The incident resulted in significant damage to one of the supply boats, the ML Kalayaan, which had to be towed back to port.
Ayungin is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and it is one of the features occupied by the Philippines in the Spratlys.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 15, 2023
