Lorenzana says Carter assures US iron clad commitment to PHL defense pact

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13): Lorenzana says Carter assures US iron clad commitment to PHL defense pact

American Defense Secretary Ashton Carter assured the Philippines of the United States' iron clad commitment to its defense pact with the Philippines.

This was the guise of the conversation of the US top defense official with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday.

"(What he told me is), we want to assure you that our alliance, (the US-Philippine defense pact) is iron clad, this is in light of the impending publication of the tribunal's ruling. He also told me that the Chinese assured them that they will exercise restraint, and they (US) assured them they will also exercise restraint," he added.

Carter said that they also expect the same from the Philippines, and Lorenzana gave the former a positive assurance.

"(The US Defense Secretary) also said we will support you on the South China Sea issue," Lorenzana recounted.

When asked on what role the US will take in wake of the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration July 12 which invalidated China's claim over its "historic rights" to the disputed waters, the Defense chief said he has no idea on what roles the Americans will take.

"I do not know the role of the US, (it is up to them on what they will do), their primarily interest is the freedom of navigation so that they can pass through the area unimpeded by anybody," he added.

"And I think the ruling has showed that we will have the freedom of navigation there in the area," Lorenzana stressed.

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