Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on October 23, 2026, that any attempt by China to forcibly tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre would constitute an act of war.

The overlapping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea, principally between China and Southeast Asian states including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, encompassing disputed islands, reefs and shoals, and the naval, coastguard and diplomatic confrontations arising from them.