The Philippines has further responded to China's aggressive reclaiming operations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, with its navy having begun operations to reinforce the hull and the deck of the BRP Sierra Madre, a tank landing ship the country has run aground to stake its claim on the disputed waters.
The quiet restoration of the dilapidated tanker contrasts greatly with the massive land reclamation that China has been conducting in the nearby maritime areas. The Philippine navy has been using wooden fishing boats and other small craft to move cement, steel, cabling and welding equipment to the aging ship, according to The Guardian.
An officer stationed in the ship has described the rationale behind the Philippines' actions.
"We know China has been waiting for the ship to disintegrate but we are doing everything to hold it together," the officer said, further stating that despite the slow progress of the work, its restoration and reinforcement should be finished by the end of the year.
The 100 meter-long ship was built for the U.S. Navy during World War II and was later endorsed to the Philippine navy. In order to mark its claim on the disputed waters, the Philippines has opted to run the ship aground on Second Thomas Shoal, which lies 105 nautical miles southwest of the Palawan, which is one of the biggest islands in the Philippines.
China, the Philippines' top rival in the claim to the area, as previously covered by HNGN, has condemned the actions of the smaller country, demanding that Manila stop the reinforcement and remove the vessel from the area instead, due to it being on Beijing's territory, Ghana Web reported.
The Foreign Ministry of China has stated that due to the actions of the Philippines, Beijing "reserved the right to take further measures" while calling the Philippines the "real regional troublemaker."
