Washington, D.C. - The United States government on Saturday restated its staunch support for the Philippines amidst ongoing tensions in the South China Sea (SCS), specifically addressing China's 'repeated harassment' in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the reaffirmation comes in the wake of a recent incident where a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel used a water cannon against a Filipino ship during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. The State Department condemned these actions as inconsistent with international law and indicative of a pattern of dangerous operational behavior in the South China Sea.
The State Department highlighted the legal importance of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which is binding for both the Philippines and the People's Republic of China (PRC). This award clarifies that the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to Second Thomas Shoal. The U.S. urged the PRC to respect the freedoms of navigation guaranteed under international law. Furthermore, the United States reaffirmed the applicability of Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft - including those of its Coast Guard - in the South China Sea.
The incident at Ayungin Shoal involved the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels harassing, blocking, and performing dangerous maneuvers to illegally impede a routine resupply and rotation mission to the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre. Despite the harassment, the Philippine supply boats successfully completed their mission. The National Task Force - West Philippine Sea detailed the incident in a statement, underscoring the illegality and unsuccessful nature of the CCG's attempt to alter the course of the Philippine supply vessel M/L Kalayaan.