Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea – A Compelling Trip Along Supply Lines amid the China Standoff.
Director Baby Ruth Villarama and her crew travel on a range of sea craft to document the continuing conflict and its impacts between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China over authority of the newly designated West Philippine Sea. This vast area, considered by nearly everyone outside of China as within the Philippines' EEZ, has seen increasing infiltration by Chinese maritime forces. These include fishing boats, most notably China's coast guard vessels that have reportedly harassed, collided with, and attempted to board Filipino boats as part of the broader sovereignty dispute.
Portions of the film are highly charged, but frequently the conflict takes the form of a war of words of maritime bluster. Personnel on the different ships broadcast lengthy declarations, peppered with technical legalese, creating a form of radio diplomacy.
Resupply at the Front Lines
The film's title points to the vital operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deliver provisions to remote islands in the West Philippine Sea where soldiers hold the line for long, solitary stretches. These outposts are often mere dollops of sand in the shallows, comparable to a sports field, accessible only by fast-moving motorized rafts.
The journeys are undoubtedly scary for the cargo of baby goats, which are crammed in with canned goods and additional provisions. Viewers see the goats struggling for secure footing as the vessels zoom across the open water.
Impact on Livelihoods
Elsewhere in the documentary fishers living around the inhabited Scarborough Shoal, who express concern over decreasing fish hauls attributed to the ongoing activity of Chinese fishing boats in their customary waters.
A Compelling Subject, Imperfect Execution
Critically speaking, the documentary is somewhat hampered by a slightly disjointed narrative approach and a soundtrack that can feel a bit heavy-handed, amplifying the dramatic moments. Nevertheless, it is ultimately a fascinating exploration of a maritime conflict that gets scant attention beyond Asia.
