Philippine forces go to disputed shoal without incident, a first since China deal

FILE - An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023.

Philippine government personnel transported food and other supplies Saturday to a shoal occupied by a Filipino navy contingent but closely guarded by Beijing's forces in the South China Sea. No confrontations were reported, Philippine officials said.