Manila, Sept. 27 -- The United States (US) condemned China's interference on a Philippine humanitarian rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea earlier this week.

In a statement Sunday, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton called out the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) "irresponsible maneuvers" that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a lawful and routine resupply mission to the shoal on Thursday.

"We stand by our Philippine allies and laud their professionalism and restraint," Lipton said.

"We call on the China Coast Guard and PLAN to cease the use of escalatory tactics that threaten the freedom of navigation and a free and...