Grounded ship Manila’s last line of defense

A handful of Marines living on a World War II-era ship that is grounded on a remote, tiny reef is the Philippines’ last line of defense against China’s efforts to control most of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The soldiers are stationed on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands aboard a former United States tank-landing vessel that was deliberately abandoned there to serve as a base, according to their former commander, Juancho Sabban.