For months, the Philippine military has been quietly reinforcing the BRP Sierra Madre, a naval ship that ran aground on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, as China ramps up construction of artificial islands nearby.

The BRP Sierra Madre has almost rotted away after many years at Second Thomas Shoal (CBS Photo)

The information was revealed to the press by two Philippine Navy officials. Accordingly, the work has been deployed since the end of last year, with many fishing boats and small rafts used to transport cement, steel, cables and welding equipment to the BRP Sierra Madre, despite the obstruction of Chinese coast guard vessels.

The BRP Sierra Madre is a 100-meter-long landing ship that was commissioned by the US Navy during World War II. It was later transferred to the Philippines, where the navy deliberately ran it aground on Second Thomas Shoal and turned it into a military outpost to support Manila’s claim to the Spratly Islands.

A small unit of Philippine soldiers is still stationed on the ship.

China is still “waiting for the ship to rot,” but the Philippines is “doing everything we can to keep it afloat,” a navy official said, adding that the work, though slow, should be completed by the end of the year.

Another naval officer revealed that due to the hot weather, welding work to reinforce the ship often took place at night. A concrete foundation was also cast inside the hull to keep the ship stable.

Not far west of Second Thomas Shoal is Mischief Reef, one of seven coral features in the Spratly Islands that China is rapidly turning into artificial islands. Beijing has brazenly declared that these sites will serve both military and civilian purposes.

Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose declined to comment on the reports that the BRP Sierra Madre was undergoing reinforcements. But he said that if it did take place, it would not violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), signed by China and ASEAN in 2002.

“In our view, the repair and maintenance of existing equipment is permissible…especially when such repair and maintenance work is to ensure the safety of our personnel and maritime safety,” Mr. Jose added.

In addition to its role as a military outpost, the BRP Sierra Madre is nominally a naval vessel in service with the Philippine Navy. That means the country can call on the United States for assistance in the event of an attack, under the terms of a decades-old security pact between the two countries, several Philippine military officials said.

“Even though it is covered in rust, it is still a naval ship in service. It is a symbol of our sovereignty,” a Philippine military general said.

(According to Dan Tri)