Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has issued a stern warning to China against forcibly removing the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine ship serving as a military outpost on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro emphasized that any attempt by China to remove the ship would be considered an “act of war,” prompting a strong response from the Philippines, potentially with the support of the United States.
He further stated that the BRP Sierra Madre is not merely a rusting old ship but a critical outpost symbolizing Philippine sovereignty.
The ship, according to Teodoro, is a piece of Philippine territory.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, also assured that contingency plans are in place should China attempt to remove the BRP Sierra Madre using military or naval forces.
The Ayungin Shoal, where the ship is grounded, is located 200 kilometers from Palawan, while China’s closest landmass, Hainan Island, is 1,000 kilometers away.