The United States has pledged its “ironclad” support to the Philippines in response to escalating Chinese actions in the South China Sea. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo that the U.S. will honor its mutual defense commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. This includes defending the Philippines in the event of armed attacks on its vessels, aircraft, or armed forces.
Rubio condemned China’s activities in the disputed waters, calling them destabilizing and a violation of international law. Tensions have heightened after the Philippines criticized China’s deployment of a “monster ship” within its exclusive economic zone. In response, the Philippine navy conducted live-fire drills and joined the U.S. for joint military exercises.
These actions come after a recent Quad meeting, where the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia emphasized maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” The U.S. and the Philippines remain firm in opposing any coercive measures that threaten regional stability.
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