PHIt would be an “act of war” if China were to remove the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in an interview with a US news show.
“If China were to take the Sierra Madre that is a clear act of war on the Philippine vessel. We will react naturally,” Teodoro told CBS' "60 Minutes."
He added that he expected the United States to aid the Philippines against China’s harassment since there were people in the warship.
“That is an outpost of Philippine sovereignty so we’re not only talking about a rusty old vessel solely. We are talking about a piece of Philippine territory in there,” Teodoro said.
The BRP Sierra Madre has been aground at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. It has been a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.
“If China were to take the Sierra Madre that is a clear act of war on the Philippine vessel. We will react naturally,” Teodoro told CBS' "60 Minutes."
He added that he expected the United States to aid the Philippines against China’s harassment since there were people in the warship.
“That is an outpost of Philippine sovereignty so we’re not only talking about a rusty old vessel solely. We are talking about a piece of Philippine territory in there,” Teodoro said.
The BRP Sierra Madre has been aground at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. It has been a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.
