US affirms ironclad commitment to PH defense pact

This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows China Coast Guard vessels deploying water cannons at the Philippine military chartered Unaizah May 4 (C) during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines said on March 5 that China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them, leaving four crew injured during a resupply mission in the South China Sea. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The United States affirmed its “ironclad” commitment to its defense accord with the Philippines after the latest water cannon attack on Philippine ships by China in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal which injured three Filipino sailors.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made the commitment on Monday during his phone call with  his Philippine counterpart Eduardo Año.

Sullivan emphasized Washington’s support after the March 23 water cannon assault during the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, describing China’s move as “dangerous”.

Beijing asserts sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013.

“Mr. Sullivan underscored the ironclad U.S. alliance commitments to the Philippines under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), 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,” said the readout published in the White House website. 

Año thanked Sullivan for relaying Washington’s support to Manila’s initiatives.

“Secretary Año expressed his appreciation for the United States’ continued assurances and reaffirmation of its ironclad commitment to the PH-US Alliance,” the National Security Council said in a statement on Wednesday.

Signed on August 30, 1951, the MDT states that Manila and Washington would support each other if an external party attacked either one of them. 

Año and Sullivan likewise discussed preparations for the visit of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the White House and the historic Japan-Philippines-U.S. trilateral leaders’ summit.