The Manila Times' front page reported that two Philippine officials claimed that the Philippine military transported food, fuel, and new personnel to the Philippine ship that is illegally stranded on the Reed Bank in the South China Sea.
Despite the recent tensions at the Reed Bank, which were caused by China's water cannon exercises and the deployment of additional coast guard vessels and suspected civilian ships nearby, the delivery on Friday proceeded smoothly. Two Philippine security officials told the media that the Philippine Armed Forces' new batch of supplies and navy and marines personnel to the Second Thomas Reef was "successfully completed on Friday without any unpleasant incidents."
Due to the sensitivity of the issue, the officials did not provide details and requested anonymity. One official said that this delivery to the strategically significant underwater reef was delayed for several weeks to ensure safety and success.
Two officials said that on Friday, two U.S. Navy destroyers were conducting routine patrols in the South China Sea, coinciding with the Philippine military's delivery to the Reed Bank. They did not specify whether the military operations of these long-term allies in the disputed waters were related or coincidental.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842462532557824/
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