US VP reaffirms commitment to defense of Philippines

SAN FRANCISCO – The US yesterday reaffirmed commitment to its treaty obligations to the Philippines, saying it stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” in defending its ally’s sovereign rights in the South China Sea, which are being challenged by China’s aggressive maneuvers in the disputed waters.

In their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, President Marcos and US Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between their countries and discussed ongoing efforts to deepen security ties and expand commercial and economic cooperation, according to a White House statement.

“The Vice President reiterated (that) the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder in defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” it said.

The White House said Harris underscored that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke US mutual defense commitments. The two leaders also reiterated their shared commitment to upholding international rules and norms, including in the South China Sea, it added.

Malacañang has not issued a statement on the meeting as of yesterday.

Broader economic ties

Marcos and Harris also talked about strengthening and broadening economic cooperation bilaterally and through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, according to the White House.

The two leaders welcomed the conclusion of a historic “123” civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which is seen to deepen their countries’ partnership to build a global clean energy economy, strengthen their shared commitment to improving energy security and advance the global non-proliferation regime.

Harris announced the launch of the “123” agreement talks while in Manila in November 2022. Manila and Washington are set to sign the landmark agreement today.

Harris also announced a new partnership with the Philippines to grow and diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, created by the CHIPS Act of 2022. The White House said the partnership would help create a “more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain.”

It was the fifth meeting between Marcos and Harris. The two leaders met in Manila in November 2022, at the Naval Observatory in Washington in May 2023; on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Jakarta in September 2023, and in a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jakarta also in September this year.

Joint statement

Meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III issued a statement jointly denouncing China’s continuing harassment of Philippine resupply vessels to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Both discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows.

During the meeting, Austin reiterated US President Joe Biden’s message that the US defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad.

Teodoro and Austin also emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling is final and binding on the parties and called on China to abide by its obligations under international law.

Both likewise reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries’ armed forces, public vessels and aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea.

Ayungin resupply

The Philippines is standing pat with its position that it does not need to notify China each time the country conducts resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

“We are being asked to give prior notification each time we conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We will not do so. The resupply missions are legitimate activities within our EEZ, in accordance with international law,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.

Daza stated that the resupply mission to and the upkeep of the BRP Sierra Madre are legitimate Philippine government activities in the country’s exclusive economic zone, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. — Pia Lee-Brago