The Philippines and China have reached an agreement regarding the resupply of Filipino troops stationed on a reef in the South China Sea, according to Manila's statement on Sunday. This comes after a series of confrontations in the disputed waters. "The Philippines and the People's Republic of China have established an understanding on the temporary arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal," the Philippine foreign ministry stated, referring to Second Thomas Shoal by its Filipino name.
A small number of Filipino troops are stationed on a rusted warship intentionally grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's territorial claims. This location has been the scene of recent clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels, as Beijing intensifies its efforts to claim nearly the entire South China Sea. In the most recent confrontation on June 17, a Filipino sailor lost a thumb when Chinese coast guard members, armed with knives, sticks, and an axe, thwarted a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.
Second Thomas Shoal is approximately 200 kilometers from the western Philippine island of Palawan and over 1,000 kilometers from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan Island.
