Stormy waters surround a reef: Blockade that has trapped Filipino marines on a run-aground hulk raises tensions in the South China Sea.

The article delves into the escalating tensions between the Philippines and China over Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, highlighted by Chinese coastguard vessels blocking access to a Philippines military base stationed aboard a run-aground hulk. It states that satellite images reveal the intense standoff, raising concerns about the sovereignty of the region and the strategic implications for both nations.