August 23, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — United States Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently called his Philippine counterpart to denounce last Monday’s ramming of two Filipino coast guard vessels by the Chinese around Escoda Shoal and discuss additional security cooperation in support of international law.
A White House statement released yesterday said Sullivan also reassured National Security Adviser Eduardo Año of US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
“Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Año discussed how this additional security assistance can bolster US-Philippines cooperation in support of international maritime law in the South China Sea,” the statement read.
The incident in Escoda Shoal involving the BRP Cape Engaño and the BRP Bagacay of the Philippine Coast Guard prompted Sullivan to review Manila’s and Washington’s current alliance, further bolstered by the recent announcement of $500 million in US Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines.
The two PCG vessels were on their way to Patag and Lawak islands to deliver supplies before dawn last Monday when they ran into Chinese coast guard ships which rammed them. The collision damaged the two PCG vessels.
“Mr. Sullivan reiterated the ironclad US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft – to include those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,” the US statement said.
The two officials also discussed how the $500 million in US Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines would help modernize the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, top US and Philippine defense and security officials are scheduled to meet next week to discuss various matters of mutual concern, including preparations for next year’s joint military training exercises.
The meeting between the AFP and the US Indo-Pacific Command is part of the annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the meeting “serves as a crucial venue to discuss and establish mutually agreed-upon policy directions on defense and security issues.”
“It also facilitates the approval of the Activity Lists for Calendar Year 2025,” she said, referring to annual joint military events involving Filipino and American troops, including the Balikatan exercises.
“The regular convening of the MDB-SEB underscores the long-standing relationship between the Philippine and US militaries, concluding a year of bilateral planning and training between the allied forces,” Padilla pointed out.
“The MDB-SEB further strengthens the cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, reaffirming both nations’ shared commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the joint pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region against the backdrop of a rules-based international order,” she said. – Michael Punongbayan
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