PH, US defense chiefs discuss 'reestablishing deterrence' in South China Sea

The defense heads of the Philippines and the United States (US) tackled restoring deterrence in South China following recent reports on closer approach of Chinese vessels to the Philippine land.

In a readout Wednesday (US time), Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot said Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and US Defense chief Pete Hegseth had an introductory call to discuss defense cooperation.

“The leaders discussed the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea, including by working with allies and partners,” Ullyot said.

“They also discussed enhancing the capability and capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” he added.

According to the Pentagon, Hegseth reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the US to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines and its role to keep the Indo-Pacific secure and prosperous.

Hegseth also vowed to keep close coordination with Teodoro.

AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) recently reported that three Chinese warships were spotted in Philippine archipelagic waters. The vessels of People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China navigated through Mindoro Strait towards Sulu Sea.

WestMinCom head Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete said China had no diplomatic coordination with the Philippines about its presence, and that these Chinese vessels maintained an "unusually" slow speed of 4 to 5 knots.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also monitored two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels about 34 nautical miles off the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan, which was the closest approach of the CCG to the Philippine land.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun earlier defended the presence of their vessels in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

"Let me reiterate that China’s sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law and compliant with the international law and practice," the official said.

Guo maintained the CCG "conducts patrols and law enforcement activities in relevant waters in accordance with the law, which is fully justified."

"We call on the Philippines once again to immediately stop all infringement activities, provocations and false accusations, and stop all its actions that jeopardize peace and stability and complicate the situation in the South China Sea," he added.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

The Philippines refers to portions of the South China Sea as West Philippine Sea. The West Philippine Sea refers to the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China refused to recognize the decision. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News