IN the aftermath of the August 5 Ayungin Shoal incident in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) which highlighted Chinese efforts anew to prevent the resupply of a detachment sheltering in the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57), the question that struck the minds of most Filipinos is whether the US, its long-time…
The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups steam in formation, in the South China Sea, July 6, 2020.IN the aftermath of the August 5 Ayungin Shoal incident in the West Philippines Sea which highlighted Chinese efforts anew to prevent the resupply of a detachment sheltering in the BRP Sierra Madre , the question that struck the minds of most Filipinos is whether the US, its long-time ally, will commit itself to the Mutual Defense Treaty should matters go from bad to worse.
At that time, CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels blocked and water-cannoned the Filipino supply boats conducting a regular rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.Also, Austin said the CCG’s “unsafe operational activities” strongly undermine “the status quo and directly threaten regional peace and stability.”
Both defense chiefs also discussed US-Philippines alliance cooperation and affirmed its “ironclad nature.” “On defense relations, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the US commitment to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support. Moving forward, both officials pledged to fast-track pending defense initiatives, such as the conclusion of the General Security of Military Information Agreement and the implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites.
“Austin reiterated that the US commitment to the alliance remains ironclad, and that an armed attack on Philippine Armed Forces, aircraft and public vessels, including the Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea, would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the MDT,” Andolong said following this first incident.
MEANWHILE, the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed that the US deployed military planes and warships during the August 5 incident in Ayungin Shoal. Sought for comment, US Embassy in Manila spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said, “I’m not going to comment on military operations, except to say that all of our military activities in the Philippines are conducted in full coordination with our Philippine allies.”AS this developed, legal and security experts urged the Philippine government to undertake a joint patrol with like-minded allies in its next resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
“The Americans are there. They did the favor to the Malaysians and Indonesians without a defense treaty. And the Australians also did the same to Malaysia. Why are they doing this? Because they want to preserve freedom of navigation…. We can do all these things. It’s up to us if we have the political will,” Carpio stressed.
Manhit added: “The stronger statement by our President is really welcome and now we hope it turns into stronger actions and generates enough support and alliance from partners. I’ve always believed that to ensure stability, you need to bring people together to define and protect what is our Philippine EEZ.”
What the 1943 Cairo Declaration stated, Carpio said, is that “all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, including Manchuria, Formosa and the Pescadores, shall be restored to the Republic of China,” and that “Japan will also be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed.”
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