Communication Jam Reported as Filipino Forces Resupply Philippines-Held Shoal
MANILA — Philippine military forces successfully completed a resupply mission to a territorial outpost in the disputed South China Sea last Friday, navigating through a communication jamming operation by Chinese government vessels during the hourslong operation, according to two senior Philippine officials.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines transported essential supplies—including food and fuel—along with a fresh rotation of navy personnel to the Second Thomas Shoal, where the grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre serves as a permanent outpost. The mission was conducted “without any untoward incident” despite the presence of multiple Chinese Coast Guard and other vessels near the Philippines-occupied shoal, the officials confirmed.
Speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, they revealed that Chinese ships actively jammed communications in and around the shoal while Philippine forces delivered supplies to the Sierra Madre. The electronic interference appeared designed to prevent potential drone surveillance by the United States or other foreign partners committed to upholding maritime security in the region.
This marks the 12th successful resupply operation since last year, carried out under a temporary nonaggression arrangement signed by Manila and Beijing in July 2024. The agreement was intended to reduce tensions around the hotly contested atoll, which both nations claim as sovereign territory.
China has long demanded the removal of the Sierra Madre, which the Philippine military deliberately grounded on the shoal in 1999 to reinforce its territorial presence. Since then, Chinese vessels have maintained a near-constant patrol around the area.
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Despite the July agreement, China augmented its presence around the shoal in August, deploying additional coast guard and suspected militia ships equipped with more powerful machine guns. A helicopter and surveillance drone were also observed supporting the enhanced patrols.
During that period, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel fired its water cannon in what appeared to be a drill or show of force, while another Chinese boat approached within 50 meters of the Sierra Madre. Philippine military reports indicate that two boats carrying Filipino personnel intervened to prevent the Chinese vessel from advancing further.
The South China Sea remains a critical global trade route, with multiple nations—including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan—maintaining overlapping claims in the region. While the United States asserts no territorial claims, it has repeatedly reaffirmed its defense commitments to the Philippines under their longstanding mutual defense treaty.
Friday’s resupply mission underscores the fragile nature of the temporary understanding between Manila and Beijing, even as both sides continue to pursue diplomatic channels to manage tensions in one of Asia’s most contested waterways.
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