The Philippines temporarily suspended its rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels reportedly interfered on Thursday night.

"The mission was temporarily suspended after a CCG vessel carried out dangerous maneuvers against M/V Lapu-Lapu that threatened a collision although no one was injured," Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said on Friday.

"The mission was discontinued. The provisions and the rotation of personnel were not delivered to BRP Sierra Madre," he added.

Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea, said M/V Lapu-Lapu and three Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard support vessels were hindered by three PLAN warships, five China Coast Guard vessels and two Houbei-class missile boats when they reached 60 nautical miles from the shoal around 8:35 pm to 11 pm.

"In doing so, they prevented the conduct of a sovereign and legitimate mission to deliver supplies and rotate the personnel manning BRP Sierra Madre," he said.

Trinidad explained that suspending the mission was based on the decision of the military ground commander.

"It's not exactly something you could call a blockade, but you're being monitored, told to leave, and their presence is getting closer and closer. From miles until yards, thousands of yards, hundreds of yards," he said.

"To avoid further escalation, it's the judgment call of the ground commander, or the unified commander. Before, they used to stay far away. Before, they could get as close as about 10 nautical miles from the shoal, now they're already being dealt with at 60 miles," he added.

In a statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea stressed that the harassment of the Chinese vessels "put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation."

"The actions of the PLA Navy and the CCG are inconsistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone, including Ayungin Shoal," it stated.

"The NTF-WPS calls on the China Coast Guard and the PLA Navy to immediately cease interfering with lawful Philippine RoRe missions. The Philippines will continue to conduct lawful operations in the West Philippine Sea and exercise its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law," it added. Robina Asido/PHS