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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III confirmed that the United States is committed to strengthening its alliance with the Philippines days after members of China’s Coast Guard clashed with the Philippine Navy.
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The Pentagon has confirmed that Secretary Austin and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr have reaffirmed their commitment to “strengthening” the US-Philippine alliance, including US rotational force posture as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
In a recent phone call between the two leaders, Secretary Austin reassured his counterpart that the US’ commitment remained “ironclad” despite recent clashes with the Chinese Coast Guard during a Philippine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
The discussion came a week after the Chinese Coast Guard rammed and boarded Philippine Navy vessels, with a Philippine sailor reportedly losing a thumb during the altercation. The Philippines use the Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II ship, as an outpost.
Following the altercation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines published photos of Chinese sailors brandishing axes as they threatened to board the Philippine Navy boats.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines accused China of destroying military equipment.
“The China Coast Guard’s coercive, aggressive, and barbaric actions during the humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on June 17, resulted in severe damage to AFP vessels, including their communication and navigation equipment,” a release on 19 June read.
The Philippine government also received support from the Japanese government in days following the incident.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces jointly voiced their concern on the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea given China’s recent escalation at Ayungin Shoal,” a release read.
“General Romeo Brawner Jr, Chief of Staff of the AFP, and General Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Joint Staff JSDF, met via video teleconferencing on June 20 to discuss partnership opportunities and ways ahead following the China Coast Guard’s hijacking of the AFP’s rotation and resupply mission on June 17.
“JSDF always stands on the side of AFP, and JSDF will deepen its cooperation with Philippines and like-minded countries,’ General Yoshida said.
For his part, General Brawner Jr expressed his gratitude to the JSDF in its continued support to the AFP and the Philippines. “We are very thankful for the support that Japan is giving us. Japan was one of the first countries that gave its support condemning the actions of CCG,” the CSAFP said.”
