Filipino fishermen sailed on a 100-boat regatta to dispute a shoal in the South China Sea guarded by Chinese ships.

The fleet of civilian anglers set sail on wooden boats toward the Scarborough Shoal around 120 nautical miles west of the Philippine island of Luzon on May 15.

They were part of a fleet on a civilian supply mission, dubbed 'Atin Ito' or 'this is ours', to deliver supplies to Filipino fishermen in the disputed area of the South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard, escorting the contingent on the BRP Bagacay ship, said two CCG vessels allegedly shadowed and tried to block the Filipino convoy.

In a May 16 statement, Akbayan President and Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David said the convoy's advance team has reached Scarborough Shoal.

She said: 'Despite China's massive blockade, we managed to breach their illegal blockade, reaching Bajo de Masinloc to support our fishers with essential supplies. Mission accomplished.

'They swiftly delivered crucial provisions, including fuel and food, to Filipino fishers working in the area. Their efforts resulted in the distribution of 1,000 liters of diesel and 200 food packs. This is despite a Chinese Navy ship with body number 175 constantly shadowing them.'

Atin Ito co-convenor Edicio Dela Torre said: 'Our mission is a testament to the resilience and rightful assertion of our sovereignty by the Filipino people. This civilian supply mission is not just about delivering supplies, it's about reaffirming our presence and rights in our own waters.

'The world is watching, and the narrative of rightful ownership and peaceful assertion is clearly on our side.'

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.