Philippines says Chinese boats seized supplies airdropped to Filipino outpost

Source: CNA

MANILA: The Philippine military said on Tuesday (Jun 4) that Chinese boats illegally "seized" food and medicine airdropped to a Filipino outpost in the South China Sea.

The alleged incident happened on May 19 at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where Filipino troops are garrisoned on a grounded navy vessel to assert Manila's claims to the waters.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and there has been a series of confrontations involving Chinese and Philippine vessels near contested reefs, often during Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippine military accused China of "aggressive and unprovoked interference" when two Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boats allegedly came within 10 metres of the Sierra Madre vessel and seized an airdropped package meant for Filipino troops.

It was the first time supplies had been seized, the military said.

"This action of getting or confiscating our supplies is illegal," military chief General Romeo Brawner told reporters.

"You're not supposed to confiscate the supplies of another country, even in war."