Chinese tugboat seen near BRP Sierra Madre; PH Navy dismisses towing

MARITIME OUTPOST With inspired Filipino ingenuity, the decrepit World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre was grounded near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 as a military outpost in the West Philippine Sea, serving to deter China’s incursions. —INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese tugboat was spotted near the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, but a Philippine Navy official on Tuesday downplayed fears that the grounded naval outpost might be towed away.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the tugboat was sighted on Monday.

“It will take more than a tugboat to tow BRP Sierra Madre,” Trinidad said in a regular AFP press briefing.

READ: Teodoro: Heightened Chinese activities in Ayungin no threat to PH troops

He said the BRP Sierra Madre is “strongly anchored” to the corals off the shoal.

The presence of Chinese vessels near the BRP Sierra Madre has been one of the flashpoints in tensions between Manila and Beijing. /jpv/abc