US reaffirms MDT commitment amid China’s 'dangerous' acts in WPS

MANILA – The State Department has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) following China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea that involved a Chinese Coast Guard “ramming and towing” a Filipino vessel.

During a call about the June 17 incident, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell ”shared concerns” over China’s activities and agreed that its “dangerous actions threatened regional peace and stability”.

Campbell said Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty “extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea”.

In a separate statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller described China’s way of disrupting Manila’s resupply mission as “escalatory and irresponsible”.

“PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels’ dangerous and deliberate use of water cannons, ramming, blocking maneuvers, and towing damaged Philippine vessels, endangered the lives of Philippine service members, is reckless, and threatens regional peace and stability,” he said.

“This escalatory incident is the latest in a series of PRC provocations to impede critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre,” he said.

He said Beijing’s actions shows its “consistent disregard for the safety” of Filipinos and for international law in the South China Sea.

READ: Defense chief: AFP to resist reckless, illegal China behavior in WPS

In a post on X, the New Zealand Embassy in Manila also called these actions “escalatory and dangerous”.

“Escalatory and dangerous actions by Chinese vessels at Second Thomas Shoal damaging Philippine vessels and obstructing assistance to injured personnel are of great concern,” it said.

“These threaten lives and safety. New Zealand calls for peaceful resolution of disputes in full accordance with UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” it said.

The embassies of South Korea, Germany, and Australia also shared the “grave” and “serious concern” over the incident.

“Australia shares the Philippines’ deep concern at dangerous & illegal actions by China’s vessels near Second Thomas Shoal, causing injury, damaging Philippines vessels, and endangering lives & regional stability. States must act consistently with international law, including UNCLOS,” Australian Ambassador HK Yu said over X.

The South Korean Embassy, meanwhile, reiterated that South China serves as a “critical sea lane of communications” for countries using it.

“The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines expresses grave concern about the recent dangerous actions in the South China Sea that caused serious damages to the Philippine vessels and especially bodily injuries to a crew member,” it said.

“We reiterate the importance of upholding peace, stability, safety and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, a critical sea lane of communications for all countries that are using it,” it said.

The United Kingdom and Canada also joined several foreign missions that condemned China’s actions and called for the peaceful resolution of disputes at sea.

PH, Australia troops wrap up warfighting drills

On Monday, the Philippine Army (PA) and the Australian Army concluded the month-long "Exercise Kasangga" in simple rites at the 5th Infantry Division headquarters at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela.

In a news release Tuesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said 100 soldiers from the 86th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division trained together with 50 personnel from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in various warfighting exercises.

"PA training participants and their Australian counterparts shared techniques, tactics, and procedures in jungle and urban operations, breaching operations, tactical casualty care, jungle survival training, mortar and drone operations, logistics, signal operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations," he said.

Dema-ala said the drills, which kicked off on May 13, also involved sharing operational experiences in countering and conquering terrorist groups and external security threats.

Livelihood aid

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to work with the local government units (LGUs) to provide alternative livelihood projects to fisherfolk affected by the WPS dispute.

He made this appeal after visiting Masinloc and the towns of Sta. Cruz and Subic, both in Zambales province, to have a dialogue and to provide assistance to some 500 fisherfolk.

“We will explore what alternative means of livelihood can be provided, and I promise to press government agencies to assist you,” Tolentino said.

At the same meeting, Masinloc Mayor Arsenia Lim denied reports that the municipal government is preventing local fisherfolk from sailing to Bajo de Masinloc following the reported June 15 enforcement of China’s new Coast Guard regulation authorizing them to detain “trespassers.”

She, however, appealed to fisherfolk to register the names with the municipal government to allow authorities to identify and monitor them in case of emergencies. (with Priam Nepomuceno/Leonel Abasola/PNA)