US Open to Escorting Philippine Ships in South China Sea, Admiral Says

Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Samuel Paparo told reporters on the sidelines of a military forum in Manila on Aug. 27 that a U.S. escort of Philippine vessels during a future resupply mission in the South China Sea was a “reasonable option.” The remarks come the day after Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) used 40 vessels to illegally block a critical humanitarian resupply mission of the BRP Teresa Magbanua patrol vessel in the Escoda Shoal on Monday. This included six Chinese Coast Guard vessels, three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships, and 31 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels deployed to block the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño from delivering “vital food and supplies” to the 10 crewmen staffed on a long-term mission in the Escoda Shoal, an atoll in the Spratly Islands....