In the South China Sea on Tuesday, China Coast Guard cutters blasted water cannons and rammed Manila’s latest resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) at Second Thomas Shoal, injuring crew and damaging vessels. Four Philippine Navy sailors sustained minor injuries after the two Chinese cutters used water cannons on Unaizah May 4, shattering the wooden resupply boat’s windshield. The remaining two Philippine vessels, resupply boat Unaizah May 1 and BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) continued the mission, entered Second Thomas Shoal and resupplied Sierra Madre. Manila further requested that all Chinese vessels leave the area surrounding the shoal immediately. He further stressed that the Philippines’ stance on the South China Sea was guided by its interests, not at the “beck and call” of the United States.