Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said any action against a Philippine warship like the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal is "an act of war against the Republic of the Philippines".

Teodoro said "any threat against BRP Sierra Madre will be taken very seriously because it will be an act against a military vessel of the Republic of the Philippines."

"The Sierra Madre is a BRP, Barko ng Republika ng Pilipina (the Ship of the Republic of the Philippines) if an attempt is made on it, or if something happens to it due to the use of force, well, that is an act of war against the Republic of the Philippines," he said.

The Chinese language newspaper published in Manila reported on Thursday that China is considering ten countermeasures against the Philippines as a diplomatic word war heats up.

Although it was not confirmed yet by Chinese officials, the measures include towing of BRP Sierra Madre, which has been grounded in the shoal since 1999.

Aside from towing BRP Sierra Madre, the ten measures reportedly include restriction of exports of essential and urgently needed goods to the Philippines.

Teodoro also stressed the importance of expanding the supply chain in the country.

"I also understand the private sector; their supply chain from China is already established, and there are costs involved... However, this is also a lesson from the pandemic: you cannot rely on just a single source," he added. Robina Asido/PHS