PH, US discuss 'historic momentum' in defense ties amid China's 'escalatory' moves in WPS

The Defense heads of the Philippines and the United States (US) tackled the “historic momentum” in the defense ties of the two countries amid the “dangerous and escalatory actions” by China over the South China Sea (SCS), the Pentagon said Thursday (Manila time).

In a readout, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his US counterpart Secretary Defense Lloyd J. Austin III had a phone call.

“The officials discussed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine defense ties following the productive U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in July,” Ryder said.

Ryder said Austin reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the US to the Philippines “following recent dangerous and escalatory actions by the People's Republic of China against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the SCS.”

Teodoro and Austin also discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all countries to fly, sail, and operate “safely and responsibly” wherever international law allows.

During the 2+2 meeting on July 30, the US announced a $500 million funding for the Philippines' military and coast guard that will be used for hardening Manila’s capabilities to deter unlawful aggression.

China has been warning the Philippines about receiving support from the US.

Recently, the Philippines filed a note verbale against China over the recent ramming incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

On August 31, the Philippine government reported that a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel "intentionally" and repeatedly rammed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.

CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said the Philippine ship, "illegally stranded" at the shoal, had lifted anchor, and "deliberately rammed" a Chinese vessel. 

"The Chinese coast guard will take the measures required to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Liu said.

Aside from this, CCG ships on August 26 blocked two PCG vessels on a rotation and reprovisioning mission to the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda.

CCG vessels on August 25 rammed and used a water cannon on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda.

On August 19, CCG vessels also had collisions with PCG vessels near Escoda while the latter were on their way to deliver supplies to Patag and Lawak Islands.

Tensions continue amid China’s massive claim in the South China Sea (SCS), including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has not recognized the decision. —VAL, GMA Integrated News