“This is especially important as the People’s Republic of China continues to advance its illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said. | JEMendozaINQ
Austin said the two countries discussed “concrete actions” to address “stabilizing activities” within the Philippine waters.
“And we note that the MDT applies to armed attacks on either of our armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea or the West Philippines Sea. We discussed concrete actions to address these destabilizing activities in the water surrounding the Philippines including the West Philippine Sea and we remain committed to strengthening our mutual capacities to resist armed attacks…” Austin said.“It is symbolic to all of us that the US will remain a reliable partner to the Filipino people,” Galvez said.
“These efforts, which we hope to jointly undertake are in line with the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and that is for the Defense department to make sure that not an inch of our nation’s territory will be lost and our people’s safety and security will be ensured,” he added.
The Philippines, under the administration of then President Benigno Aquino III in 2013, challenged before the Hague court China’s claim to more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, which included waters in the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.Subscribe to our daily newsletter
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