Second Thomas Shoal

The BRP Sierra Madre, a warship grounded on a shoal in the Spratly Islands, has become the focus of growing tensions with China.

After eight Philippine marines were injured in a melee with Chinese forces this week, some are questioning the response of Manila's foreign allies.

Once again, Chinese and Philippine vessels collided during an attempted resupply to Filipino troops at Second Thomas Shoal.

The diplomatic charade masks the key question: Would China refrain from seizing Second Thomas Shoal if the Philippines was forced to withdraw?

Public attitudes toward China in the Philippines have dipped considerably as tensions have increased in the South China Sea.

The country's military chief claims that the incident saw Chinese boats come within five meters of the Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

A Senate Committee is investigating the Chinese Embassy’s alleged recording of a phone call between Carlos and a Chinese military attaché in January.

Over the weekend, Manila accused Beijing of attempting to create an "artificial island" at Sabina Shoal, an unoccupied reef 75 nautical miles from Palawan island.

The recording, released this week by the Chinese embassy in Manila, purports to lay out a "new model" for managing tensions at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

The past year has seen a string of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in contested parts of the South China Sea.

The incident near Chinese-occupied Scarborough Shoal caused damage to two vessels, the Philippine government said.

The Houthis’ activities in the Red Sea and the Chinese actions around Second Thomas Shoal have notable similarities in tactical conduct and adversarial responses.