MANILA – Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reiterated the United States’ “ironclad commitments” to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT, calling China’s recent “escalatory actions” in the South China as “undermining regional peace and stability.”
This was conveyed by Blinken during a phone call with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Wednesday (19 June 2024).
According to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken and Manalo discussed China’s “dangerous and irresponsible actions” to deny the Philippines from executing a lawful maritime operation in the South China Sea on Monday (17 June 2024).
In his post on X, Miller revealed that Blinken emphasized that China’s actions undermine regional peace and stability and underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
The Secretaries also exchanged views on how to build on momentum from recent high-level bilateral engagements on issues of shared concern, Miller added.
Earlier, DFA expressed “grave concern” over the incident that occurred in the Ayungin Shoal during a humanitarian mission to BRP Sierra Madre last Monday, June 17, 2024.
In its official statement, DFA “denounced” the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese authorities that resulted in personnel injury and vessel damage.
The National Security Council (NSC) earlier confirmed China coast guard and maritime militia engaged in what it called “dangerous maneuvers”, including “ramming and towing”, which put the lives of the personnel at risk and damage to the Philippine Coast Guard’s vessels.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also confirmed on Tuesday, that a Philippine Navy personnel sustained “severe injury” following the incident but has already been safely evacuated and received prompt medical treatment.
The diplomatic community has also expressed its concern and condemned China’s actions.
