After the maritime conflict between China and the Philippines, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippines Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had a phone call on Wednesday, June 26th.
On June 17th, a maritime clash occurred near Ren’ai Reef between China and the Philippines, resulting in an injury to a Filipino sailor. At that time, the Philippine military was conducting a humanitarian rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre stationed at Ren’ai Reef when Chinese Coast Guard personnel were seen on camera “threatening to harm Filipino soldiers with an axe.”
The U.S. statement on Wednesday mentioned that after China took provocative actions against the legal Philippine humanitarian supplies transit in Beijing, Secretary Austin reiterated the U.S.’s steadfast commitment to the Philippines.
The statement emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to continue supporting the Philippines in defending its sovereignty rights, discussing the importance of upholding rights to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly within the bounds of international law.
U.S. and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their alliance to support their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, including enhancing information sharing through cooperation with like-minded partners and bilateral measures, boosting the capabilities of the Philippine Armed Forces, and augmenting U.S. rotational troop deployments under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Teodoro stated on Monday (24th) that China’s use of “aggressive and illegal force” to disrupt Philippine South China Sea resupply missions was a deliberate act by China.
Last week, the U.S. State Department condemned China’s “escalatory actions” in disputed waters, with the Philippine military also releasing video evidence of a Chinese “barbaric attack.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on Monday, stating that the Philippines “should stop infringing and provoking” and “cooperate with China (PRC) to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., expressed in an interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday (25th) that it is currently the “most dangerous moment.”
“If anything happens, the entire Asian region will be fully encompassed.,” he added.
Romualdez referenced the example of World War I, which was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
With China becoming increasingly aggressive in the South China Sea – including using water cannons, dangerously ramming ships, and brandishing axes and machetes to deter the Philippine Navy – Ren’ai Reef has become the most dangerous hotspot in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. has repeatedly warned Beijing that the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies to the BRP Sierra Madre and its crew.
The Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. cautioned that Beijing is testing the U.S. through actions at Ren’ai Reef. He suggested that Beijing not trivialize the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
The Ambassador declined to disclose details of invoking the treaty but mentioned that both allies have discussed contingency plans.
The U.S. is strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, with the Philippines permitting U.S. forces access to four new bases last year.
Romualdez stated that the purpose of allowing access to these bases is to enhance the Philippines’ defense strategy, not for offensive operations. He mentioned that the Philippines may allow the U.S. to use these bases during wartime if needed to defend Taiwan.
“We hope that such a situation never arises, but evidently, countries like the Philippines will play a role on the Asian stage,” he added.