by Mac Slavo, SHTF Plan:

Tensions are continuing to rise as Manilla and Beijing trade accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly Islands. Chinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea.

This is that same location where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tank landing ship over two decades ago. According to a report by RT, the incident occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands archipelago, claimed by several countries including the China and Philippines. In 1999, Manila moved to strengthen its bid by permanently placing the BRP Sierra Madre – a military vessel that was originally built for the US Navy during World War II – at the location and turning it into a marine base.