Philippines Accuses China of Seizing Food Supplies for Its South China Sea Outpost

The incident is the latest development in a series of confrontations between the two nations in the region.

A China Coast Guard ship (top) sails dangerously close to Filipino fishermen aboard two wooden boats (center), as a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources inflatable boat observes, near the Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea on Feb. 16, 2024. Ted Aljibe/ AFP/Getty Images

Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated following an incident in which Chinese vessels allegedly seized food supplies and medicines intended for Philippine military personnel stationed at Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippine military stated that Chinese boats intercepted and seized one of four food packs that were airdropped to the Filipino outpost in disputed waters in the South China Sea on May 19.