China blocks Philippine resupply run to Ayungin Shoal, first disruption since 2024 deal

Chinese coast guard and navy vessels forced the Philippines to abort a routine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Thursday night, in the first reported disruption of such a mission since Manila and Beijing reached a provisional understanding in 2024 to manage resupply runs to the BRP Sierra Madre, the Manila Bulletin reported.

The convoy — the civilian supply boat M/V Lapu-Lapu escorted by three Philippine Navy and coast guard vessels — was shadowed about 60 nautical miles from the shoal, where pressure on previous missions had only begun eight to 10 nautical miles out, according to Armed Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad.

A People’s Liberation Army-Navy warship issued a radio challenge warning it would take “compulsory measures” against the resupply mission, coast guard spokesperson Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said. A China Coast Guard vessel then closed to about 1,000 yards in what he called a dangerous manoeuvre creating a serious risk of collision. The coast guard’s BRP Malabrigo was also shadowed. No one was injured and there was no collision.

Tarriela said the mission was discontinued at 11:08 p.m. on 24 September for the safety of personnel, on the judgment of the Western Command chief, Vice Adm. Alan Javier, in nighttime, rough seas.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said Chinese vessels “hindered” a lawful rotation and resupply mission to deliver essential supplies to and rotate personnel aboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57), putting Filipino personnel at risk and obstructing “a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation”. It called the actions inconsistent with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and demanded Beijing immediately stop interfering. GMA News Online said the Chinese embassy in Manila had not responded to a request for comment. Asked whether troops could run short of supplies, Trinidad said contingency plans were in place.

Sources

• GMA News Online: Chinese vessels hindered PH resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal — NTF-WPS — https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1003676/chinese-vessels-hindered-ph-resupply-mission-to-ayungin-shoal-ntf-wps/story/
• Philippine Information Agency: Statement of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea — https://pia.gov.ph/press-release/statement-of-the-national-task-force-for-the-west-philippine-sea-4/
• Manila Bulletin: Massive Chinese force forces PH to abort resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal — https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/26/gutom-ang-tropa-massive-chinese-forces-ph-to-abort-resupply-mission-in-ayungin-shoal