PH, US defense chiefs reaffirm ‘ironclad’ alliance after water cannon incident in WPS

From CNN Philippines (Aug 9, 2023): PH, US defense chiefs reaffirm ‘ironclad’ alliance after water cannon incident in WPS (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) — The defense chiefs of the Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their “ironclad” relations, with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III condemning China’s firing of water cannons at Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on a statement released by the Pentagon on Wednesday, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Austin reiterated both nations’ commitment to bolstering cooperation, including strengthening “bilateral training, interoperability, and support for the modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces.”

During their call, the officials also touched on the latest aggression of China in the disputed waters, where the latter blocked the Philippine Coast Guard vessels' resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal.

READ: PH tells China to stop illegal activities in WPS after water cannon incident

China’s “dangerous maneuvers” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) “put the safety of Philippine vessels and crew at risk,” Austin said.

The US defense chief stressed that China’s activities “undermine the status quo and directly threaten regional peace and stability.”

He also backed the Philippines’ right to conduct lawful maritime activities, supported by the 2016 arbitral ruling which the country won against China’s sweeping claims over the disputed waters.

Austin noted that the Mutual Defense Treaty also covers Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces—including its Coast Guard—in the Pacific and the WPS.

“The Secretaries committed to find a near-term opportunity to meet in-person and restated their commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as allies to bring security, prosperity, and stability to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” a Pentagon statement read.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/8/9/us-ph-defense-china-water-cannon-incident.html