The Navy purposely uses civilian-type ships for the resupply to avoid sending a "wrong message" that the mission is of military nature.

Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union also issued statements condemning China.

[7] The Department of Foreign Affairs supposedly issued a memorandum ordering the recall of Jose Manuel Romualdez, Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States due to bribery and corruption allegations from an anonymous complaint.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo denied such order exists and Romualdez claimed that China is launching a smear campaign to damage Philippine–United States relations.

[8] On August 8, 2023, China brought up an alleged explicit promise made by the Philippines to remove Sierra Madre from the Second Thomas Shoal.

[11] On August 14, 2023,[12] Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao claimed that the alleged pledge was indeed made albeit "solely verbal".

Duterte admitted on April 11 that he had made a "status quo" "gentleman’s agreement" not to repair or reinforce BRP Sierra Madre.