The Philippines has defied China's demand to remove a grounded warship from a reef in the South China Sea, where it serves as a makeshift military base and a symbol of sovereignty. The BRP Sierra Madre, a former US Navy ship, was deliberately stranded on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert the Philippines' claim over the area, which is also contested by China and other countries.
On August 7, 2023, China's foreign ministry repeated its call for the Philippines to tow away the "illegally stranded" warship and restore the reef to its "unoccupied state". China accused the Philippines of ignoring its repeated requests and warnings, and of attempting to transfer construction materials for repairing the ship. China also defended its coast guard's actions of firing water cannons at Philippine boats that were resupplying the troops stationed on the ship.
The Philippines rejected China's demand and vowed to continue its presence on the reef. Jonathan Malaya, the assistant director general of the Philippine National Security Council, said that the Philippines will never abandon its post in Ayungin Shoal, the local name for the Second Thomas Shoal. He also urged China not to escalate matters by using water cannons or military-grade lasers, which endanger Philippine lives, but by sincere negotiations and diplomatic means.
The dispute over the BRP Sierra Madre is part of the larger conflict over the Spratly Islands, a group of reefs, rocks, and islands in the South China Sea that are claimed by several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The Spratlys are rich in natural resources and have strategic importance for navigation and security. China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its historical waters, based on its controversial nine-dash line map. It has also built artificial islands and military facilities on some of the features it occupies.
The US, which is a treaty ally of the Philippines and a rival of China, has expressed its support for the Philippines' position and has warned China that any attack on Philippine public vessels or forces would trigger its mutual defense obligations. The US has also conducted freedom of navigation operations and joint exercises with its regional partners to challenge China's claims and actions in the South China Sea.
The BRP Sierra Madre is more than just a rotting warship. It is a flashpoint for Sino-American rivalry and a test case for regional order and stability. It represents the competing interests and values of the two superpowers and their allies in the Indo-Pacific region. It also reflects the courage and determination of the Philippine marines who endure harsh conditions and constant threats to uphold their country's sovereignty and dignity.