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

Calling the mission a “publicity stunt”, Yuyuan Tantian, a social media user affiliated with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, said the Philippine vessels “stopped moving forward at nearly 60 nautical miles in the waters east of Huangyan Island and has now departed,” it added.

Hizon told Reuters the advance team was part of the group’s contingency plan in case China blocked the main flotilla, which he said would make its way back to port on Thursday after having sailed to a point about 50 nautical miles from the shoal.

Hizon said the larger flotilla was not needed because the fishermen, already supplied by the advance team, left the area after being driven away by Chinese vessels.

A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft deployed to monitor the situation at Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday spotted 19 Chinese vessels, including one Chinese navy ship, in the area. The PCG said it was also monitoring two floating barriers at the southeastern entrance of the shoal.

The PCG was not part of the mission, but deployed vessels to provide safety and security for