‘Act of war’ if China takes BRP Sierra Madre; expect US intervention — Teodoro

Metro Manila, Philippine — Any attempt by China to take down a vintage Philippine warship grounded on Ayungin Shoal would be considered an “act of war,” Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro said.

Speaking in an interview with documentary program “60 Minutes” on Monday, Sept. 16, Teodoro was direct in his assessment of the potential consequences in the South China Sea flashpoint.

“If China were to take the (BRP) Sierra Madre, that would be a clear act of war against a Philippine vessel,” Teodoro said, noting that the country would respond accordingly.

Asked if the United States would intervene, Teodoro said with a straight face, “Naturally, we would expect it.”

Teodoro said the situation is beyond the vintage World War 2 tank landing vessel.

“There are people in there, that is an outpost of Philippine sovereignty. So we are not talking about a rusty old vessel, we're talking about a piece of Philippine territory in there,” he said.

Sought for a response to Teodoro’s remarks, the US embassy in Manila told NewsWatch Plus it would “let the comments stand on their own.”

The ‘Sierra Madre’ has been a flashpoint in the territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.

Mutual Defense Treaty under review

Teodoro also addressed the need for a modern interpretation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States in light of evolving threats.

He said the definition of “armed attack” should adapt to contemporary security concerns in the South China Sea.

“We need to tailor our operations under the MDT to address the dynamic threats we face,” Teodoro said, adding that discussions are ongoing to review parts of the 1951 deal.

“It should apply more broadly. We shouldn’t get fixated on the old definition of ‘armed attack’ on public vessels. I believe we need to expand the MDT’s scope to address a dynamic adversary,” he said.

Teodoro also raised cyberattack threats, equating their potential harm to that of conventional armed attacks.

“Is a cyberattack as damaging as an armed attack? I think it is. So, why focus solely on attacks? We should concentrate on deterrence through the MDT,” Teodoro added.

Forged shortly after the war, the treaty allows either country to invoke the treaty in the event of armed attacks on their armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels, including those of their coast guards, at sea.

The policy-making body National Maritime Council has expressed support for the proposal to review the MDT, aligning with Teodoro’s call to modernize the longstanding agreement to meet current security challenges.

PH, China provisional deal over Ayungin Shoal

In July, the Philippines and China formalized a provisional communication system aimed at managing disputes in the South China Sea.

Called “Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms,” it establishes multiple communication channels between the two nations.

The channels include:

- Representatives designated by their respective leaders;

- Foreign ministries of both countries, with communication at the foreign minister and vice minister levels; and

- Coast guard officials, once a corresponding memorandum of agreement is finalized.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has advocated for direct communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping to prevent escalation.

“That’s what I proposed—a kind of hotline between us, so that if there is an urgent message, it will reach the other side without delay,” Marcos said in an interview with ABC’s “7.30.”