A rusty World War II ship in the South China Sea has become a symbol of defiance in the face of Chinese aggression. Twenty-five years ago, the Philippines strategically grounded its naval vessel BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands. The shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, an area that gives the country rights to use natural resources in the water. It lies within a region of the South China Sea that’s disputed between China, the Philippines, and other nations.
The U.S.-built BRP Sierra Madre is not just a ship but a concrete marker of the country’s territorial claim in disputed waterways that have seen rising acts of aggression and harassment by Chinese vessels. Tensions escalated to a new level in 2023 when conflicts involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels using water cannons and lasers on Philippine vessels were tracked.
This year, Beijing continued attacking Philippine vessels with water cannons and even seized boats with long knives and axes, injuring Philippine navy personnel. Short of using firearms, Beijing has kept its aggression below triggering the U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty.
In talks with Manila in July, Beijing demanded that BRP Sierra Madre be towed away. An unoccupied Second Thomas Shoal would allow a takeover by China.
Although a United Nations’ Law of the Sea tribunal concluded that Second Thomas Shoal belonged to Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, former President Rodrigo Duterte downplayed it as just “a piece of paper.” However, his successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr., took a U-turn on his China policy and aligned with the United States.
China claims Second Thomas Shoal through its “nine-dash line,” which circles most of South China Sea and overlaps with exclusive economic zones of neighboring countries. Despite being rejected by UNCLOS in 2016 tribunal decision, Beijing insists on it.
The South China Sea is resource-rich area critical for global trade. Billions worth petroleum and natural gas lie under disputed Spratly Islands while over half world’s fishing boats operate there providing jobs for millions.
After losing properties to China before—Mischief Reef in 1995 and Scarborough Shoal in 2012—the Second Thomas Shoal holds great significance for Philippines as it represents their willingness to resist Chinese aggression.
To counter such threats from Beijing independently or with support from allies like Japan or Australia is seen as crucial by regional players like Manila who are investing more into their own defense capabilities while engaging diplomatically with partners like US.