In a new interview with CBS News 60 Minutes, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro explained that there were ongoing discussions between the US and the Philippines about which scenarios amid tensions between Manila and Beijing would prompt America to get involved. One flash point, Teodoro said, would be if China took the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded, rusted warship that marks sovereign Philippine territory. 'If China were to take the Sierra Madre, that is a clear act of war on a Philippine vessel,' he said.
'That is an outpost of Philippine sovereignty,' Teodoro explained. 'So we're not talking about a rusty, old vessel solely. We're talking about a piece of Philippine territory.' The Sierra Madre, a World War II-era LST-542-class tank landing ship, was intentionally grounded by the Philippines on the Second Thomas Shoal to serve as a marker for Philippine maritime territory.
China has repeatedly targeted resupply missions for the outpost. For instance, in June, Chinese vessels and crews armed with bladed weapons raided Philippine ships near the Sierra Madre. The incident followed earlier clashes in which China rammed vessels in the region, indicating the effects of growing tensions in the contested waters.
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