On Thursday, August 29, US Indo-Pacific Command Commander, Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo stated that as the maritime tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate, the US is prepared to assist the Philippines in carrying out resupply missions to its outpost in the South China Sea.
According to the Associated Press, during a press conference at the Joint Defense Committee annual meeting in the northern Philippine city of Baguio, Paparo was questioned about what measures the US, as a long-standing treaty ally of the Philippines, could take to address China’s use of gray-zone tactics in the disputed waters. Paparo told reporters, “We are prepared.” “This is a post-policy consultation issue, and there are multiple options.”
Established in 1958, the Joint Defense Committee aims to enhance defense cooperation between the US and the Philippines.
“Gray-zone tactics” refer to actions such as water cannon firings, interceptions, and ramming of vessels in disputed waters, which fall below the threshold of armed conflict and make it difficult to trigger the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. The treaty stipulates that in the event of an external armed attack, both countries are obligated to assist each other.
“We have indeed prepared a range of options, and the US Indo-Pacific Command is ready to consult under the treaty and execute these options alongside our allies,” Paparo stated.
Paparo, along with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr., co-chaired this annual meeting to discuss security challenges and military plans, including joint exercises.
In response to questions, Paparo reiterated that amid increased hostile actions between China and the Philippines in the disputed waters, the US military is willing to escort Philippine vessels in the South China Sea after treaty consultations. Such a scenario could potentially lead to direct confrontations between US Navy ships and Chinese vessels.
Brawner stated that the Philippines can still defend itself in the disputed waters, as hostilities with Chinese Coast Guard, Navy, and suspected militia vessels have sharply escalated since last year.
“If all else fails, that’s the time we ask for help,” Brawner told reporters. He added that if the Chinese military blocks food supplies and the Philippine forces are “at the brink of death” in the disputed waters, “that’s when we seek US assistance,” while also emphasizing that “we still have many options.”
In April of this year, during military exercises between US and Philippine forces, the US transported a medium-range missile system to the northern Philippines, causing unease in Beijing, which has been urging the US to withdraw any missile systems that could threaten the Chinese mainland from the Philippines.
On Thursday, both Paparo and Brawner declined to disclose whether or when the missile system would be removed from the Philippines. Brawner expressed gratitude for the US military’s delivery of high-tech weapons to the Philippines and noted that the Philippine military is engaging with plans to acquire advanced defense equipment in the future.
“Just like what we did with Spike and Javelin missiles, even if we don’t have the equipment yet, we have already begun training,” Brawner said.