The United States has expressed its support for the Philippines and condemned what it described as "escalatory and irresponsible actions" by the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea. The condemnation follows an incident on June 17, where PRC vessels allegedly obstructed the lawful delivery of humanitarian supplies to Philippine service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre.
According to U.S. officials, PRC vessels employed water cannons, ramming tactics, blocking maneuvers, and even towing damaged Philippine vessels. These actions were deemed dangerous and reckless, endangering the lives of Philippine service members and threatening regional peace and stability.
This recent incident is part of a series of provocations by the PRC aimed at hindering supply missions to BRP Sierra Madre. On May 19, PRC Coast Guard units reportedly harassed Philippine service members during a medical evacuation and unlawfully seized airdropped provisions. Over the past year, there have been multiple reports of similar aggressive tactics involving water cannons and hazardous maneuvers against routine Philippine supply missions.
In July 2016, an international tribunal unanimously ruled that the PRC has no lawful maritime claims to waters around Second Thomas Shoal—a low-tide feature within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone—under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. This decision is final and legally binding on both China and the Philippines.
The United States reiterated that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—including those operated by its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea.
