South China Sea: Philippine civilian group to continue Scarborough Shoal resupply mission despite talk of Chinese blockade
- This is the group’s second attempt at resupplying the fishermen after a failed try in December when Chinese vessels tailed the group’s main ship
- The potential blockade would include Chinese coastguard ships and dozens of large military vessels, an analyst says
A civilian group from the Philippines will continue its resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal, even in light of US reports of China sending a huge blockade to thwart the effort, in a latest move that could signal yet another flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea.
The group’s mission on Wednesday will be its second attempt at resupplying the fishermen. Last December, the group tried to deliver supplies and Christmas gifts to Filipino troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal but it returned to shore after four Chinese vessels started shadowing its main ship.
The potential Chinese blockade would be the “largest blockade I have ever tracked at Scarborough”, said former US air force official and former defence attaché Ray Powell on social media platform X, adding that it would involve four Chinese coastguard ships and dozens of large Chinese maritime military vessels.
“China seems determined to aggressively enforce its claim over the shoal,” he said.
Philippine coastguard spokesman Jay Tarriela said Powell was making a “prediction” about Chinese vessels’ movement.
