Philippines fortifies South China Sea outpost for a decade
- President Marcos’s government ramped up efforts to maintain the military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands
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 centre of tensions with Beijing last at least another decade, according to four people familiar with the matter.
In 2021, the rusty and decrepit Sierra Madre was thought to only have a remaining lifespan of three to five years, one of the people said. While some efforts had previously been made to fortify the ship, Marcos’ government accelerated that work, two of the people said.
The improvements to the outpost, on which the Southeast Asian nation maintains a handful of troops it has to regularly resupply with fresh food, water and basic goods, has been sufficient to fortify it for years, according to three of the people.
All four of the people who spoke to journalists asked not to be identified, saying they were not authorised to discuss the sensitive issue publicly.
