Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — Manila is working with experts from other countries to ensure BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal remains safe for Filipino troops there, Philippine ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Wednesday.
“What we are trying to do here is to get some advice on how we can stabilize it and make it still safe for many of our soldiers who are staying on that ship,” Romualdez told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
BRP Sierra Madre is a World War II-era ship deliberately grounded in 1999 to serve as the country’s outpost in the West Philippine Sea. The Department of National Defense said the vessel needs immediate repair as it is deteriorating fast.
Philippine authorities have reached out to engineers from the United States and other countries, Romualdez said.
“They have given us an indication of where it would be best to try to anchor the ship perhaps. I’m not privy to exactly the details of all this type of advice but it’s there,” he added.
There are proposals to build permanent structures on Ayungin Shoal given the current state of BRP Sierra Madre.
Sen. Francis Escudero earlier said he would look into allocating ₱ 100 million for the construction of a structure on Ayungin, which can include accommodation for Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.
The proposal was supported by Sen. Bato dela Rosa and Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, who said the structure should be non-military, like shelter for fisherfolk during bad weather or halfway house for research vehicles.
