Part 9/16:
Chinese accusations accuse Manila of illegally smuggling construction materials to reinforce Sierra Madre, complicating the situation. The Philippine government insists that resupply missions are routine and legal, but disagreements over whether an informal "gentleman's agreement" exists complicate matters further. Without consensus, the risk of accidental violence remains high, with some experts warning of a possible rapid escalation akin to historical conflicts like the Johnson Reef incident between China and Vietnam in 1988.