PH, US to boost coordination with other countries in WPS amid China's 'unlawful' actions

The Philippines and the United States have agreed to intensify their bilateral and multilateral coordination with other countries amid China's growing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, which Washington described as "coercive and unlawful."

“They agreed to bolster bilateral and multilateral coordination with other likeminded partners to enhance interoperability and accelerate the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” a readout from Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said.

On Wednesday (US time), Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III had a phone call and discussed boosting coordination after China again used water cannons on Philippine vessels in areas being claimed by Beijing.  

Austin pointed out that the US commitment to the Philippines remains ironclad as he expressed support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights in accordance with international law.

“Secretary Austin reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries' armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft—including those of their respective Coast Guards—anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea),” the readout said.

This comes after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the China Coast Guard (CCG) rammed and water cannoned Philippine vessels on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre last Sunday. According to the PCG one of the vessels, the M/L Kalayaan, suffered serious engine damage and had to be towed back to Palawan. 

Just the day before, a Chinese coast guard also water cannoned vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) headed to Bajo de Masinloc to distribute supplies to fisherfolk in the area.

The US said China's use of water cannons and acoustic devices in Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal were “unprovoked.”

It added that the “reckless maneuvers” of Chinese vessels caused a collision and damage to “lawfully operating” Philippine vessels in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.

Several countries including the US, Australia, Japan, and Canada earlier expressed support for Manila and criticized China's recent actions in the WPS.

China, meanwhile, said that moves by its Coast Guard against Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea were "professional" and "restrained," adding it had "lodged stern representations" with Manila.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing's Coast Guard "took necessary measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with domestic and international law."

"The operations were professional, restrained, reasonable and legal," she said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News