On Aug. 25, China mounted the first major obstruction to Philippine government vessels around Sabina Shoal. The BFAR vessel BRP Datu Sanday, conducting a humanitarian mission to provide diesel and food to Filipino fishermen, was surrounded and rammed by eight Chinese vessels. It marked the first instance in which a civilian support mission at this shoal was physically disabled through direct coercive action. The following day, China deployed roughly 40 vessels, with many engaged in efforts to block a humanitarian mission delivering food, water and medical supplies to the personnel of BRP Teresa Magbanua. Like at Second Thomas Shoal, China […]... Keep on reading: China’s RoRe deal: Rewarding coercion, setting a dangerous precedent