US Defense chief Austin condemns latest Chinese actions near Ayungin Shoal

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and United States Defense chief Lloyd Austin III discussed in a phone call the recent actions by Chinese authorities on Philippine vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, with the US official condemning it.

According to a statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder on Wednesday (Manila time), Teodoro and Austin discussed the recent events in the South China Sea including China’s efforts to obstruct the Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).

“Secretary Austin condemned the China Coast Guard's use of water cannons and other dangerous maneuvers, which put the safety of Philippine vessels and crew at risk,” the statement read.

“He joined numerous countries in expressing concern about these unsafe operational activities, which undermine the status quo and directly threaten regional peace and stability,” it added.

The Pentagon said the two defense officials reiterated their commitment to sustain the rules-based order and support the Philippines' right to hold lawful maritime activities in line with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which is “final and binding on all parties.”

Austin reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty covers Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces including its coast guard assets in the Pacific including in the South China Sea.

Under the MDT, the two countries agreed that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either the Philippines or the US would be dangerous and that they would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.

Aside from this, Teodoro and Austin talked about the US-Philippines alliance cooperation as they committed to redouble efforts to strengthen bilateral training, interoperability, and support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The two defense chiefs are seeking to meet in-person soon, the Pentagon said.

“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,” it said.

On August 5, Chinese vessels used water cannons and conducted dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels to block the latter’s resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at Ayungin shoal since 1999. The ship manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Beijing, meanwhile, claimed that the Philippine ships intruded into the Ayungin Shoal, which it said is part of its territory, and violated China's laws during the conduct of the resupply mission.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Ayungin is part of the Philippines' 200-nautical mile EEZ.

In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked China's nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China has refused to acknowledge the ruling.

Despite the recent incident, China remains open to continue dialogue and consultation with the Philippines about maritime issues, according to its embassy in Manila.

“China stands ready to continue to properly handle maritime issues with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation,” embassy said in a statement on Tuesday. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News