Sullivan: U.S. Supports Philippine Resupply Operation at Ayungin Shoal

The White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Friday (July 19) that the United States will take necessary action to ensure that the Philippines can resupply a military vessel stranded at Second Thomas Shoal.

Sullivan made these remarks during the Aspen Security Forum held in Colorado.

The Philippines regularly provides supplies to the small forces stationed on the World War II-era vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, which is grounded on the contentious Second Thomas Shoal.

Second Thomas Shoal is located within the United Nations-approved exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, but China claims sovereignty over it and has deployed numerous ships there to hinder the Philippines from conducting resupply missions.

Sullivan emphasized that the U.S. has made it clear to Beijing that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies to the BRP Sierra Madre.

The U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty stipulates that in the event of an armed attack on either party’s territory, forces, vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific region, both parties will take action to address the danger together.

“We have made it clear that this treaty applies to public vessels in the South China Sea, so China knows our position, which means once that line is crossed, we consider the mutual defense treaty valid,” Sullivan said.

Regarding the specifics of actions or how the U.S. will be involved, Sullivan stated, “We hope to maintain the status quo there to enable the Philippines to carry out these supplies. As the Philippines takes steps to ensure the supplies, we will continue to support them as their backup.” Sullivan added, “The most important thing now is to see the situation de-escalate and witness the Philippines being able to resupply. We believe this is achievable and we will work towards this goal.”

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea through the “Nine-Dash Line,” overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia in some areas, leading to disputes. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s “Nine-Dash Line” claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis. China, however, stated that it does not recognize the ruling.

In recent years, China has intensified its obstruction of Philippines’ resupply operations, using tools like water cannons to attack resupply ships, causing injuries to Filipino personnel and vessels.

On June 17, Chinese Coast Guard personnel once again intercepted a Philippine vessel conducting resupply missions at Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in a violent clash between the two sides.

Video footage released by the Philippine armed forces showed Chinese Coast Guard personnel wielding sickles, guns, and axes to forcibly prevent the Philippine Navy from performing resupply missions, damaging the Philippine resupply vessel, and confiscating firearms onboard. The Philippines reported that at least 8 Filipino personnel were injured in the clash, with one sailor losing a thumb.

(Partial reference from Reuters)