Filipinos in Ayungin Shoal Get Fresh Supplies After China's Harassment

Boats carrying supplies for Filipino troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal have delivered goods on Tuesday noon, Malacañang said after the Chinese Coast Guard shooed away an earlier resupply mission with water cannons.

The Philippines condemned the latest harassment from China, which sought to prevent food and other provisions from reaching troops on board a marooned ship in the outcrop with the international name Second Thomas Shoal.

The wreckage of the BRP Sierra Madre is one of the few ways Manila is standing up to Beijing's vast claims in the West Philippine Sea, which had been declared illegal by a UN-backed court.

"Dumating na ang resupply boats sa Ayungin Shoal at nakarating na sa BRP Sierra Madre ngayong tanghali," Acting Palace Spokesperson Karlo Nograles told reporters.

Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday said China would "not interfere" with the resumption of the resupply mission after the Philippines condemned the incident.

Ayungin Shoal is part of the Kalayaan Group of Islands (Spratly Islands) parts of which are occupied by the Philippines. 

While there are conflicting claims with other countries such as China and Malaysia over the Kalayaan Group of Islands,  the Philippines insists that it has jurisdiction over the rich fishing grounds since it is part of its continental shelf.

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