US: Ayungin clash ‘escalatory, very negative’

MANILA, Philippines — Condemned by the Philippines’ closest allies but downplayed by Beijing, the latest Chinese act of aggression at sea early this week that left two Filipino sailors injured was a “high-profile issue” and “very negative,” visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday.

“We’ve all seen it.  And it’s sort of an escalatory thing that we think is very negative and benefits no one,” Rubio told journalists on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post Ministerial Conference with the US in Manila.

“And obviously, we’ve reiterated in every meeting we’ve had that the US has a treaty arrangement with the Philippines. I believe we’re the only treaty partner the Philippines has,” he said, apparently referring to the 1951 Phil-US Mutual Defense Treaty. “We intend to live up to our treaty obligations, and I think we’ve done so, and we’ll continue to do so.”

Washington condemned on Tuesday China’s “dangerous” and “aggressive” action against Philippine Navy personnel stationed on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last July 20.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro relayed to her Chinese counterpart Manila’s strong protest over the incident, wherein two Filipino navy personnel were struck and injured in the head with a pole by Chinese coast guard men who were trying to get near or possibly board the Sierra Madre.

Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would later meet for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The Philippines also strongly condemned state-run China Daily’s release of “dehumanizing” and “racist” videos and editorial cartoons depicting Filipinos as monkeys in criticizing the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

Manila demanded that the video posted on China Daily’s Facebook account on July 10 be taken down.