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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China deploys vessels anew to block resumption of Ayungin resupply: satellite images

China deploys vessels anew to block resumption of Ayungin resupply: satellite images

Published Aug 22, 2023 05:35 am

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) resumed its rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal but China still ignored calls to refrain from interrupting the Philippine boats from bringing food, water, and other supplies to troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre, satellite images provided by a maritime security expert showed on Tuesday, August 22.

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Courtesy of maritime security expert Ray Powell / X

Ray Powell, director of SeaLight project at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, uploaded satellite images on X (formerly Twitter) around 6 a.m. showing at least three China Coast Guard (CCG) and 11 maritime militia vessels taking up “blockade positions” to prevent the resupply mission.

The resumption of the mission came more than two weeks after the CCG shot jets of water at the supply boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during the August 5 mission.

Satellite images showed the PCG’s BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan as they approached Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, which is located approximately 37 nautical miles or 70 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal, for the resupply mission.

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Reference photo showing Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef (Screen capture courtesy of Google Earth) 

However, Powell said that China deployed four maritime militia ships “to take up blockade positions at Ayungin.” The vessels were identified as Qiong Sansha Yu 00401, 00304, 00001, and 00316.

He added that seven more militia vessels were positioned northeast of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, which is approximately 20 nautical miles or 37 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal.

Powell said that the militia vessels were equipped with automatic identification system (AIS) which transmits a ship’s position to its system.

Aside from the militia vessels, Powell said that CCG ships with bow numbers 3303, 21551, and 21556 were also sighted at Panganiban Reef. 

He also assumed that three more CCG ships identified as CCG 3302, 5201, and 5305 could be lurking in the vicinity of Mischief Reef as these were not detected by the satellite imagery after going “AIS-dark” or turning off its automatic identification system.

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Satellite imagery shows BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan moving back to east after the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. (Photo by Ray Powell / X) 

Powell said that the resupply mission appeared to be finished around noon time with the BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan “moving back to east” away from Ayungin Shoal and towards the direction of Palawan, although he could not confirm if the mission was a success.

“Will wait for the Philippines government to report mission success, photos/videos, etc.,” he said.

The AFP and PCG have yet to issue their respective statements on the matter.

Related Tags

Resupply mission AFP PCG West Philippine Sea Ayungin Shoal
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