(UPDATE) THE United States has affirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines if any of its troops, public vessels or aircraft are attacked in the South China Sea (SCS) or West Philippine Sea. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the assurance as Washington reiterated its support for the 2016 The Hague ruling in favor of the Philippines. Then-US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said Washington will not allow Beijing to turn the SCS as its "maritime empire." In a statement, he noted that in its ruling, the tribunal "firmly rejected the PRC's expansive South China Sea maritime claims as having no basis in international law." "We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article 4 of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," he added.

Source: Manila Times July 12, 2022 22:40 UTC