The U.S. said that it stands with the Philippines amid the ongoing conflict in the South China Sea, which is now worsening because of the recent collision between Filipino vessels and Chinese ships.
The U.S. Department of State renewed its warning against China on Oct. 22, saying that it is prepared to defend the Philippines if ever the collision leads to an armed attack.
US Stands With Philippines in Worsening South China Sea Conflict With China
Via its official press statement, the U.S. Department of State said that the United States stands with its Philippine allies amid the dangerous and unlawful actions of the PRC (People's Republic of China) Coast Guard and maritime militia.
"By conducting dangerous maneuvers that caused collisions with Philippine resupply and Coast Guard ships, the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia violated international law," said the U.S. State Department.
It explained that the PRC did this by intentionally disrupting Filipino vessels while exercising their high seas freedom of navigation.
The U.S. Department of State added that the PRC's actions jeopardized the safety of Filipino crew members, as well as prevented essential supplies from reaching service members, who are stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre.
"Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional stability," added the United States.
To show its strong support, the U.S. government promised that it would protect the Philippines against China since the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty's Article IV extends to armed attacks anywhere in the South China Sea.
The U.S. State Department is specifically talking about attacks against the Philippine armed forces, aircraft, public vessels, as well as Coast Guard.
Read Also: Foreign Officials Condemn China's Dangerous Behavior in South China Sea
What To Know About South China Sea Collision
Activists display anti-China placards and flags during a protest at a park in Manila on June 18, 2019, after a Chinese vessel last week collided with a Philippine fishing boat that sank in the disputed South China Sea and sailed away sparking outrage.
According to the Associated Press, the latest vessel collision in the South China Sea happened on Sunday, Oct. 22. Reports stated that some Chinese vessels tried to block two Filipino ships.
Unfortunately, these vessels collided with each other. Luckily, no injuries were reported. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conducted an emergency meeting with the defense secretary, as well as other top Filipino military and security officials.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro condemned China during a news conference, saying that the Chinese government endangered Filipino crew members by resorting to brute force.
He added that what China did was a "blatant violation of the international law." Teodoro further stated that China doesn't have any legal right or authority to conduct law enforcement operations in the South China Sea.
As of writing, China and the Philippines are still blaming each other for the latest vessel collision.
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