On July 20, a physical confrontation erupted between twelve sailors — six from China and six from the Philippines — near the BRP Sierra Madre. The clash, which involved the use of batons, oars, and verbal disputes, led to a reported injury to one Filipino sailor. The details of the incident remain contested, with both sides blaming the other for the escalation.
The BRP Sierra Madre, a US-made tank-landing ship that has been intentionally grounded on Second Thomas Shoal since 1999, is said to be deteriorating further. Chinese analysts report that the vessel has developed large holes in its hull and is taking on water. The Philippine government has refuted these claims but has not yet provided an independent evaluation of the ship’s condition, leaving the dispute over its state unresolved.
Terms of Agreement in Question
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro denied allegations that her country had violated the provisional agreement reached in July 2024. She emphasized that the agreement did not prohibit Manila from carrying out construction or repair work on the BRP Sierra Madre. Meanwhile, Beijing asserts that the installation of cables by Philippine workers broke the terms of the arrangement, though the full text of the agreement has not been made public, fueling confusion.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has maintained that the country holds sole authority to operate in the area and that it requires no Chinese approval for construction or navigation activities. To address concerns about the validity of Beijing’s claims, Manila has requested that China release the full document outlining the terms of the provisional arrangement to verify its details.