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MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday warned that any attempt by China to forcibly tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre would constitute an “act of war” against the Philippines.
“Any threat against BRP Sierra Madre will be taken very seriously because it will be an act against a military vessel of the Republic of the Philippines,” Teodoro said in a virtual interview with reporters.
“Kung ‘yan ay tinangka, o may mangyari diyan … ginamitan ng pwersa eh ‘yan ay act of war against the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
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(If an attempt is made against it, or something happens involving the use of force, that would be an act of war against the Republic of the Philippines.)
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Teodoro was responding to reports that China was considering 10 possible countermeasures against the Philippines, including towing away the Philippine warship from Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, blocking resupply missions and imposing economic sanctions.
The measures were outlined in a report by the Chinese Commercial News, a Manila-based Chinese-language newspaper, although there has been no official confirmation from Beijing that the proposals were being considered or had been approved.
READ: West PH Sea: AFP rejects China claim it OK’d BRP Sierra Madre resupply
Teodoro stressed that an offensive act against a Philippine warship should not be confused with the formal existence of a state of war.
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“Only the President and the Congress of the Philippines can declare the existence of a state of war. So, I have no power to declare the existence of a state of war,” he said, adding that Congress has the final say.
Under the Constitution, Congress has the power to declare the existence of a state of war by a two-thirds vote of both houses, voting separately.
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MDT trigger
Asked whether an attempt by China to board the Sierra Madre could trigger the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States, Teodoro said the possibility remained open, although the decision would ultimately rest with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The possibility is open,” he said, clarifying that whether such an incident would lead to a response under the treaty would be a presidential decision.
He emphasized that the incident could, rather than necessarily would, lead to the treaty’s invocation.
Under the 1951 MDT, the Philippines and the United States committed to act in accordance with their respective constitutional processes in response to an armed attack against either party in the Pacific.
Washington has repeatedly affirmed that the treaty covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.
Teodoro declined to discuss whether the military was considering changes to its rules of engagement to prevent Chinese personnel from boarding the Sierra Madre, citing operational considerations.
Threatened sanctions
Asked about the reported economic sanctions, Teodoro said he had not read the article but warned that the Philippines’ dependence on China could be used against it.
“It just goes to show you that whatever supposedly goodwill that they are doing is a weapon and they are weaponizing it,” he said.
He urged the government and private sector to strengthen domestic industries and diversify supply chains, particularly for critical infrastructure.
“We are constantly being threatened subtly and now more overtly,” Teodoro said.
The warning came days after the Philippines completed another rotation and resupply mission to the Sierra Madre, which has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999 to serve as Manila’s military outpost.
READ: AFP mission aborted due to Chinese shipsChinese authorities claimed Wednesday that the Philippine mission had proceeded under their supervision.
Teodoro rejected suggestions that Manila had sought Beijing’s permission to deliver supplies to its troops.
“No one has the right to ask the Republic of the Philippines to ask for permission for a resupply of Sierra Madre. So, that is false,” he said.
He also dismissed Chinese media claims that Philippine personnel had disclosed the contents of their supplies during radio exchanges with Chinese vessels.
“Wala tayong obligasyon na sabihin kung anong laman o anong kargada … doon sa isang barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” he said.
(We have no obligation to disclose the contents or cargo of a vessel of the Republic of the Philippines.)
In September, the Armed Forces of the Philippines suspended a resupply mission after Chinese coast guard and naval vessels obstructed Philippine ships approaching Ayungin Shoal, prompting commanders to halt the operation over safety concerns.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Coast Guard also accused Chinese vessels of obstructing a medical evacuation from the Sierra Madre, delaying the transfer of an ailing Filipino sailor by nearly 10 hours.
The incident prompted Marcos to condemn China’s actions, saying that even during wartime, humanitarian assistance should be allowed to proceed.
China has repeatedly demanded that Manila remove the grounded warship, which Beijing claims is illegally occupying the shoal.
Ayungin Shoal lies about 194 kilometers off Palawan, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
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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, although Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling. /jpv
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