AFP halts Ayungin resupply mission after Chinese ships disrupt operations

MANILA, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Philippine military suspends Ayungin Shoal resupply mission after Chinese vessels block convoy, risking escalation

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has suspended a critical rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) after Chinese coast guard and naval vessels obstructed the convoy, citing an immediate risk of escalation that could endanger Filipino personnel. The move marks the latest confrontation in the disputed West Philippine Sea, where Manila has long maintained a military presence to assert its territorial claims.

The AFP confirmed that three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships and five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels intercepted the Philippine convoy—comprising the supply vessel M/V Lapu-Lapu and three Philippine Navy and Coast Guard support ships—while still 111 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal on Thursday.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve), the AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated in a Friday briefing that the interference forced the suspension of the mission to avoid "unnecessary risks."

The suspended mission was intended to deliver essential supplies and rotate personnel stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, the aging warship deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to reinforce Manila’s sovereignty claims. The shoal lies 194 kilometers west of Palawan, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, as affirmed by the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling—a decision China has repeatedly rejected.

In a separate statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned the obstruction as a violation of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

The task force accused Chinese vessels of "reckless" behavior, warning that their actions "put Filipino personnel at risk" and "obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation." It demanded that the PLAN and CCG immediately cease interfering with Philippine missions, framing the incident as a direct challenge to Manila’s sovereign rights.

Admiral Trinidad echoed the criticism, labeling the Chinese actions "irresponsible" and "inconsistent with collision-prevention rules at sea." Despite the suspension, he reiterated that the AFP would "not be deterred" from fulfilling its obligations to sustain the BRP Sierra Madre crew. The military reiterated its call for China to "exercise restraint" and halt what it described as "dangerous actions" that threaten regional stability.

The latest standoff follows a July 2024 provisional agreement between Manila and Beijing aimed at managing tensions over RoRe missions to Ayungin Shoal. However, the Philippines has consistently maintained that the arrangement does not require Chinese approval for its operations, a stance that Beijing has not recognized. The suspension of this mission—coming amid heightened military posturing in the South China Sea—risks further straining diplomatic relations, particularly as both nations prepare for upcoming high-level engagements.

For Malaysia and regional observers, the incident shows the growing militarization of the South China Sea, where overlapping claims and aggressive patrols by claimant states have raised concerns over accidental clashes. The Philippines’ reliance on the BRP Sierra Madre, a vessel that has outlived its operational lifespan, also highlights the strategic vulnerability of its presence in the disputed waters.

With no immediate resolution in sight, the next steps will likely hinge on whether China escalates its interference or whether Manila escalates its own military posture in response.

Related: Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve)