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- U.S. open to escorting Philippine ships amid clashes with China (newsbreak.com)
**Manila, Philippines** — The U.S. might consider escorting Philippine vessels in the tension-filled South China Sea as stated by Admiral Samuel Paparo, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
This statement emerged during a press conference in Manila alongside Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the chief of the Philippine Armed Forces.
The possibility is based on the strategic discussions within the framework of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the U.S.
The discourse was a part of an international military conference in Manila led by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command that discussed the rising aggressions of China in the region. Notably, Chinese representatives were absent at the meeting.
During the conference, the tensions highlighted included the recent intercepts where Chinese coast guard, navy, and suspected militia ships regularly encountered Philippine counterparts. These incidents have escalated, including one noted instance in June where a Filipino sailor was gravely injured due to an aggressive maneuver by a Chinese vessel.
In light of these events, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby described China’s actions as “provocative” and capable of causing major conflicts due to misunderstandings.
The Philippine government contemplates whether to invoke its treaty alliance with the U.S., as tensions rise. Admiral Paparo’s comments at the conference hinted at the willingness of the U.S. to stand by the Philippines as per the Mutual Defense Treaty, stressing the robust alliance between the two nations.
However, Gen. Brawner expressed a cautious approach, noting the legal constraints, including a constitutional ban on foreign forces engaging in local combat, which complicates direct action.
At the same event, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. criticized China for disrupting peace and urged for sharper international condemnation and actions against Chinese aggression in Southeast Asia. Teodoro pointed to stronger multilateral measures as a solution but recognized challenges in achieving consensus at platforms like the U.N. Security Council, where China holds veto power.
Furthermore, tensions were stirred recently when a large contingent of Chinese ships obstructed Philippine vessels from delivering supplies to Manila’s primary coast guard ship stationed at the disputed Sabina Shoal. This incident exemplifies the broader regional disputes involving multiple Southeast Asian nations and China over the South China Sea, a critical and resource-rich maritime region.
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- U.S. open to escorting Philippine ships amid clashes with China (newsbreak.com)