Chinese vessels harassed and blocked members of the Philippines coast guard who were attempting the medical evacuation of a sick crew member. (Philippine Coast Guard)

Taiwan, Ukraine and Gaza get most of the attention these days. But the United States’ reputation as a reliable ally is nowhere more at stake than in the Philippines.

And that reputation is on the verge of going down the drain.

June 17 saw the most recent and most violent effort by the China Coast Guard (CCG) to prevent Philippine resupply of BNP Sierra Madre, an old navy ship deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal and manned by a detachment of sailors and marines in order to assert Philippine control of the shoal.

In this image made from video handout provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a China Coast Guard ship rams the Philippine navy-operated supply boat Unaizah Mae 1 as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Dec. 10, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

This shouldn’t be necessary since Second Thomas Shoal is well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

CHINA ATTACKS ON PHILIPPINE BOATS ARE TO PROVOKE US, PREP FOR TAIWAN WAR, EXPERTS WARN

However, China claims ownership and has been interfering with Philippine Coast Guard and Navy resupply efforts with increasing force.

This time, brandishing knives, axes and spears, flashing lasers and using sound weapons, and ramming and towing outnumbered Philippine boats, the Chinese seriously injured a Philippine sailor and damaged and seized Philippine boats and stole property.

Accounts differ as to whether one Philippine........

© Fox News