THE defense secretaries of the United States and the Philippines jointly denounced China’s “gray-zone” operations—activities that just fall short of war—in the South China Sea, saying these acts interfere with the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.
In a readout provided by the US Department of Defense following a phone call between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, the two officials also called out Beijing for its activities that impede the rights of other claimant states “that seek to operate lawfully in the South China Sea consistent with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling.”
Amid Chinese aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, Austin reiterated Washington’s commitment to the Philippines as its ally. In case of any armed attack, the US official assured the Philippines that Washington would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty.Austin said the pact would cover the Philippine armed forces, and Philippine aircraft and public vessels, including those of the Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.
But House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro expressed her strong opposition to the upcoming war games with the United States.
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