Teodoro Warns Forced Towing of BRP Sierra Madre Would Be an Act of War
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warned on Friday that any Chinese attempt to forcibly tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre would amount to an “act of war” against the Philippines.
Speaking in a virtual interview with reporters, Teodoro said any threat against the vessel would be treated very seriously, since it is a military ship of the Philippine Republic. He added that if an attempt were made, or if force were used in any way, it would be an act of war against the country.
His comments came after reports that Beijing was weighing 10 possible countermeasures against Manila. These reportedly include towing the warship away from Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, blocking resupply missions, and imposing economic sanctions. The details were outlined by the Chinese Commercial News, a Chinese-language newspaper based in Manila. Beijing has not officially confirmed that it is considering these steps or has approved them.
War Versus Hostile Acts
Teodoro stressed that a hostile act against a Philippine warship should not be confused with a formal state of war. Only the President and Congress can declare war, he said, and he has no authority to do so. Under the Constitution, Congress would need a two-thirds vote in both chambers, with each house voting separately.
Possible Mutual Defense Treaty Trigger
Asked whether a Chinese attempt to board the Sierra Madre could activate the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States, Teodoro said the option remains open. However, he noted that the final decision would belong to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He stressed that such an incident could lead to the treaty being invoked, but would not necessarily do so.
The 1951 treaty commits both nations to act in line with their own constitutional processes if either is attacked in the Pacific. Washington has repeatedly said the pact covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.
When asked whether the military is reviewing its rules of engagement to stop Chinese personnel from boarding the Sierra Madre, Teodoro declined to say, citing operational concerns.
Concerns Over Economic Pressure
On the reported sanctions, Teodoro said he had not read the report. He warned, however, that the Philippines’ dependence on China could be used against it. In his view, what Beijing presents as goodwill is in fact a tool it is turning into a weapon.
He said the country is facing threats that are first subtle and are now becoming more open. He called on the government and private sector to build up domestic industries and diversify supply chains, particularly for critical infrastructure.
Disputed Resupply Mission
The remarks followed the completion of another rotation and resupply mission to the Sierra Madre, a warship that has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999 and serves as Manila’s military outpost. Chinese authorities claimed on Wednesday that the mission had taken place under their supervision.
Teodoro rejected the claim that Manila had asked Beijing for permission to deliver supplies to its troops, calling it false. He also dismissed Chinese media reports that Filipino personnel had revealed the contents of their cargo during radio exchanges, saying the Philippines has no obligation to disclose what its ships carry.
Recent Incidents
- In September, the Armed Forces of the Philippines suspended a resupply mission after Chinese coast guard and naval vessels blocked Philippine ships approaching Ayungin Shoal. Commanders halted the operation over safety concerns.
- Earlier this month, the Philippine Coast Guard accused Chinese vessels of obstructing a medical evacuation from the Sierra Madre, which delayed the transfer of an ill Filipino sailor by nearly 10 hours. Marcos condemned the move and said humanitarian assistance should be allowed to proceed, even in wartime.
China has repeatedly demanded that Manila remove the grounded ship, which Beijing says is illegally occupying the shoal. Ayungin Shoal lies about 194 kilometers off Palawan, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. A 2016 arbitral tribunal invalidated the legal basis for China’s sweeping claims to historic rights within its nine-dash line in the South China Sea, but Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.