Philippines Fortifies South China Sea Outpost For a Decade
- World War II-era vessel has been at center of China tensions
- Grounded Sierra Madre reinforced under Marcos administration
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The Philippines has carried out substantial reinforcements on a grounded World War II-era ship in the contested South China Sea, enough to make the outpost at the center of tensions with Beijing last at least another decade, according to four people familiar with the matter.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government ramped up efforts to maintain the military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands after taking office in 2022, two of the people said. The BRP Sierra Madre was first deposited on the reef in 1999 in a move meant to push back on Beijing’s expansive claims in the region.