Jakarta, Indonesia – During a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, US Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III reaffirmed the United States' commitment to helping the Philippines defend its sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This commitment was emphasized in a joint statement with Philippine Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., following their meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus.
According to Philippines News Agency, Austin reiterated President Joe Biden's message that the US defense commitment to the Philippines is unwavering. The statement highlighted the US's support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction within its EEZ. The secretaries also discussed the longstanding US-Philippine alliance and their mutual commitment to strengthening ties, acknowledging the alliance's role in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years.
The discussion also touched upon the preservation of rights for all nations to safely and responsibly fly, sail, and operate under international law. Both officials denounced the recent harassment by People's Republic of China (PRC) vessels towards Philippine Coast Guard and resupply operations around Second Thomas Shoal, as well as the PRC's maneuvers against US aircraft and ships in the South China Sea.
Teodoro and Austin called on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law and emphasized the binding nature of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling on the parties involved. They reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty covers both countries' armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard, in the Pacific and the South China Sea.
The officials welcomed recent progress under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), including a USD24 million runway upgrade at Basa Airbase in Pampanga, and pledged to accelerate EDCA implementation further. They committed to exploring opportunities to strengthen bilateral operations and planning, including the upcoming 'Balikatan' 2024 exercise, and expressed interest in expanding multilateral activities with like-minded partners.