PHILIPPINES

Marines, part of a military detachment which has been stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre for the last five months, wave at local reporters, at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014. According to local media, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels on Saturday tried to block a Philippine government civilian ship from bringing troops and supplies to the military detachment. BRP Sierra Madre has been aground on the disputed shoal, which is known as the Ren'ai reef in China and the Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, since 1999 REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: MARITIME MILITARY POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)