As China deployed coast guard and fast boats with weapons to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stressed that the death of any Filipino in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) would constitute a “red line” that would trigger the military’s contingency measures, possibly including the invocation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

“Kapag may namatay na Pilipino (If a Filipino dies), that is the red flag, that is the red line,” the military chief said during the sidelines of the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Makati City on Friday, Aug. 22.

He was referring to the tense situation around Ayungin Shoal where the grounded BRP Sierra Madre serves as an outpost of AFP troops.

Brawner said Chinese vessels continue to circle the shoal, often coming close to the AFP detachment stationed there.

Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, he said that the sailors and marines onboard BRP Sierra Madre managed to keep the Chinese vessels at a distance.

“Basta ang guidelines namin sa ating mga tropa doon (Our guidelines to our troops there) is that they practice maximum tolerance and still observe the rule of law. Hayaan natin na magviolate ang China ng rules of engagement or international law (Let China violate the rules of engagement or international law),” Brawner said.

“We will remain in our post and we will make sure that we continue to uphold our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he added, noting that the presence of BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal symbolizes the country’s assertion of its sovereign rights to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Pressed on whether the AFP would send additional forces to Ayungin, Brawner said decisions will depend on guidance from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), emphasizing that the defense of the area is a “whole-of-nation approach.”

He confirmed that while the situation remains tense, no direct encounters have occurred. “They come close but our troops continue to push them outward,” he said.

Asked what steps the military would take should the “red line” be crossed, Brawner declined to provide details but assured that contingency plans are in place.

“We cannot reveal that,” he said. “What is clear is that our soldiers will continue to defend the BRP Sierra Madre and what it represents, our sovereignty.”