Inside the Philippines’ Dangerous Mission in the South China Sea

As sailors scrambled to unload provisions from two small boats for troops on a grounded ship in the South China Sea, a US Navy aircraft flew overhead while three Japanese-built Philippine coast guard vessels kept watch.

They in turn were monitored by a flotilla of Chinese coast guard ships and other vessels that had spent the past few hours trying to obstruct the Philippine vessels from reaching their destination, including firing a water cannon.

The scene was the climax of the latest mission to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre, a decaying World War II-era vessel that Manila intentionally grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 in response to China’s occupation of Mischief Reef four years earlier. It’s the Philippines’ sole outpost in the shoal designed to establish its sovereignty in the fishing-rich waters.

--------

Bloomberg Quicktake brings you global social video spanning business, technology, politics and culture. Make sense of the stories changing your business and your world.

Connect with us on…

[robwernet]

The chinese are bullying their neighbors for one reason and one reason only. Theyve over fished their own waters. So theyre throwing their muscle around in the region to allow their fishing fleets to expand to other areas illegally. It really is that simple. Its all over fish.

[RosemarieGarcia-iy]

God bless Philippines 🇵🇭 and all our soldiers 🙏

[alexgomel]

Why no country is joining and helping the Philippines in save guarding the South China Sea. Afraid of Morron Xi.

[romeosideno]

It's within our EEZ and got nothing to do with the US you barking at the wrong tree

[jimmyboybanting]

West Philippine sea belongs to Filipino!🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳

[lindacreed]

May our Holy FATHER Bless everyone, Amein.

[karahmihan]

It's about time to modernize our patrol boats, equipped with latest surveillance systems. Dapat ito na ang pagtuunan ng gobierno ngayon. Hindi yon pagkakalaking confi funds ng mga politicians. Anyway. SALUDO AKO SA TAPANG NITO MGA COAST GUARDS. My full respect. Maski 10M lang ang budget sa kanilang lahat.

[robertmatias]

God bless the Philippines, at mga coast guard na nagbabantay sa dating karagatan.

[OliverAvellaneda-fjuo]

Mabuhay Ang pilipinas laban lang Kay sana lomakas pa Ang bansa Natin Ng Hindi na tayo agawan ng karapatan Hindi na tayo binobully Ng china say no to china

[dollyluague]

Almighty Father LOVE THE PHILUPPINE
AMEN HALLELUJAH❤❤❤

[KellyLiu-lu]

Looking up to the Chinese to defend their position

[londyfabian]

If the land doesn’t belong to you, you should leave it on

[jonathanodarbe]

WPS Inside the Philippines Dangerous mission in west Philippines sea 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[whtongalice]

exclusive economic zone doesn't mean everything inside the zone are belong to you, if inside the zone there exists another country territories, your exclusive economic zone is just halfway from your own shores to foreign territories.
Btw, when Chinese people arrived the islands in South China Sea hundred years ago, people in Philippines even unaware of what is a ship

[henryroldan]

They should use high speed supply boats.

[kkk]

Female radio controller still not respected by chinese bully

[marinadoblicara]

Gawin ninyong tourist spot yong mga isla na aagawin nila sa tabi ng Barkong pinalubog na siera madre para di makaporma itong mga tsekwa na perwisyo pati buwan hinuhukay. 😅

[Nyckaka]

Love the Philippines, boycott china, pls call it south Asia sea not chyna.

[boonhuier]

Unfortunately, US lackeys are everywhere

[williammercado]

The bully Chinese did it again, they are bexoming ISIS in the ASEAN Sea...