The national security advisers of the Philippines, United States, and Japan have called on China to desist from "further provocative behavior" in the West Philippine Sea, the White House said Thursday (PH time).
In a White House readout, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Philippines’ National Security Advisor Eduardo Año, and Japan’s National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo expressed concerns about China’s "recent dangerous and unlawful" conduct near Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc over the weekend.
Sullivan, in the same statement, reaffirmed the ironclad alliance commitments of the US to both Japan and the Philippines.
The three NSAs also underscored the significance of enhancing trilateral cooperation and committed to continue implementing the initiatives to enhance defense and security capabilities, particularly on cyber security.
They also pledged to maintain a free and open maritime order, enhance cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintain a free and equitable economic order.
Sullivan, Año, and Takeo will also conduct a close trilateral coordination over the coming months to push shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House added.
On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused Beijing of ramming and firing water cannons at Philippine vessels on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, the local name of Second Thomas Shoal. The said attack resulted in damage to M/L Kalayaan.
On Saturday, the CCG also fired water cannon at the vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) headed to Scarborough Shoal to distribute oil and other supplies to fisherfolk in the area.
