The Philippines' coast guard said today it would maintain its regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed island in the South China Sea. It said the Philippines will not halt the supply even though it expects more Chinese vessels in the area.<br />'' <br />''The Philippines regularly sends supplies to a handful of troops living aboard an aging warship that was run aground on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's sovereignty claims over the island.<br />'' <br />''Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said today it stands with the Philippines, with which it has signed a defence treaty.