PHILIPPINES-CHINA-MARITIME-MILITARY-DIPLOMACY

This photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows a Chinese coast guard ship (R) shadowing a Philippine coast guard ship BRP Sindangan (L) escorting a civilian boat (not pictured) chartered by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies to Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed South China Sea. A team of AFP journalists on board the BRP Cabra, one of the two Philippine Coast Guard escort boats, watched as one of the Chinese ships came within several meters of the vessel. AFP was one of three media outlets given the rare opportunity to join the Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, less than three weeks after Chinese coast guard ships water cannoned a similar replenishment operation. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Ted ALJIBE has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: UPDATES CAPTION TO [in the disputed South China Sea]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require." (Photo by TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)