US not likely to change position in South China Sea issue —envoy

Washington's top diplomat to Manila Sung Kim on Wednesday maintained the US position regarding the freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.

In an interview with reporters, Kim underscored that amid the complications in the contested region, the position of United States on the issue has remained the same.

"We believe that all countries should act according to international law and principles," Kim said.

"We believe freedom of navigation is an important way to protect our international rights and principles. So our position has not changed and I don't expect it to change," he added.

China has been accused of militarizing the region, alarming claimant countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam. Beijing, however, has dismissed the allegations.

The US has expressed its deep concern over China's actions, noting the importance of refraining from unilateral aggressive actions that are inconsistent with the international law and principles.

Despite the fact that US is not a claimant of the contested region, it has maintained that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of navigation, trade and peace and stability in the South China Sea, where a bulk of the world’s trade passes through.

Kim said US aircraft carriers had visited the Philippines and carried out patrols in the contested region.

In June, the USS Ronald Reagan nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its flotilla of escort ships had just passed from the area near Guam and carried out a routine patrol within the South China Sea en route to Manila.

The USS Carl Vinson and the Reagan's sister ship, USS Theodore Roosevelt, also sailed through the disputed waters in February and April, respectively.

"I think that sends an important signal that we care about developments in this region, we care about developments in the South China Sea. So that will not change either," he said.

US-PHL relations

Kim, meanwhile, stressed that the ties between the US and the Philippines remains "deep," adding that the US has continued to provide assistance to the Philippine government, including in the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.

"I think everyone acknowledges the important role that the US played in defeating the terrorists in Marawi. In fact President Duterte himself has acknowledged the special role that the US has played in many different contexts including in Marawi," Kim said.

Last month, Kim announced that the US would give an additional P296.2 million in financial assistance to the Philippines for supporting humanitarian assistance work in Marawi City.

When it comes to the controversial war against illegal drugs of the Duterte administration, Kim ensured that the US would continue to support the government.

"We understand that the drug issue is a huge challenge for the Philippines and we understand why President Duterte is so focused on dealing with that very big problem, and we will continue to work with the Philippines government," Kim said.

He, however, emphasized the need to respect human rights when dealing with issues on illegal drugs.

"We continue to have strong law enforcement cooperation with PNP (Philippine National Police) and other relevant agencies in the Philippines. So I think our robust law enforcement cooperation will continue, and it is important that both sides agree on the importance of rule of law and respecting human rights as we proceed with efforts to deal with the drug problem," Kim said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News