NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
US Reiterates Commitment to PH in West Philippine Sea
US Sec Defense Lloyd Austin III and Secretary Defense Carlito Galvez Jr. Photo courtesy of DND
In a call made earlier today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Philippine Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense Carlito Galvez to address concerns about developments in the South China Sea.
The two leaders discussed a recent incident in which the People’s Republic of China Coast Guard directed a military-grade laser at the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel lawfully operating around Second Thomas Shoal.
During the call, Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting the lawful rights and operations of the Philippines in the South China Sea, particularly around the Second Thomas Shoal, which the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal had ruled as a part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
He emphasized that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels, including those of its Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
Furthermore, the two leaders discussed proposals to deepen operational cooperation and enhance shared security between the United States and the Philippines. They also talked about opportunities to expand security cooperation with other like-minded nations, such as Japan, that seek to uphold the rules-based international order and the shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Secretary Austin reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to bolstering the Philippines’ defense capabilities and capacity to resist coercion as the Allies develop a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap.
The call concluded with both leaders committing to advancing an ambitious set of initiatives leading up to the 2+2 Ministerial in Washington, D.C. this spring as the United States and the Philippines rapidly modernize alliance cooperation.
The two leaders discussed a recent incident in which the People’s Republic of China Coast Guard directed a military-grade laser at the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel lawfully operating around Second Thomas Shoal.
During the call, Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting the lawful rights and operations of the Philippines in the South China Sea, particularly around the Second Thomas Shoal, which the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal had ruled as a part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
He emphasized that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels, including those of its Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
Furthermore, the two leaders discussed proposals to deepen operational cooperation and enhance shared security between the United States and the Philippines. They also talked about opportunities to expand security cooperation with other like-minded nations, such as Japan, that seek to uphold the rules-based international order and the shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Secretary Austin reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to bolstering the Philippines’ defense capabilities and capacity to resist coercion as the Allies develop a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap.
The call concluded with both leaders committing to advancing an ambitious set of initiatives leading up to the 2+2 Ministerial in Washington, D.C. this spring as the United States and the Philippines rapidly modernize alliance cooperation.
Feb 22, 2023
