Philippine group calls civilian mission in South China Sea a 'major victory'

16/5/2024 16:33

        A Philippine group leading a civilian supply mission in the South China Sea delivered food and fuel to Filipino fishermen despite being shadowed by Chinese vessels, its officials said on Thursday, calling it a "major victory".
        
        Atin Ito (This is Ours) said a 10-member team sailed to the Scarborough Shoal a day before the civilian flotilla, composed of five commercial vessels and 100 small fishing boats, began its voyage on May .
        
        "The mission achieved a major victory when its advance team reached the vicinity of Panatag Shoal on May 15 (and) was able to supply the fishers in the area," said Emman Hizon, Atin Ito spokesperson, using the local name of Scarborough.
        
        China said on Wednesday it has sovereignty over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, and its adjacent waters. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the Chinese Coast Guard conducted "routine rights protection and law enforcement activities" in waters around the shoal on Wednesday.