US, Philippines vow to enhance South China Sea coordination

MANILA, Philippines — Defense officials of the US and the Philippines have vowed to deepen coordination on issues involving the South China Sea.

In a joint statement during Tuesday’s fourth 2+2 ministerial dialogue, the two countries vowed to ensure “respect for the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.”

They called on the People’s Republic of

 China to comport with the international law of the sea, respect the Philippines’ sovereign rights and comply with the 2016 arbitral ruling.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken “acknowledged that the futures of both countries are intertwined with each other, the region and the rest of the world.”

“Acknowledging that the futures of both countries are intertwined with each other, the region, and the rest of the world, the Secretaries reaffirmed their support for unimpeded lawful commerce and full respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea,” the joint statement read.

They exchanged views on key regional and global developments that challenge global peace and the international rules-based order.