![]() Romeo Brawner, Jr., by phone today following China's latest provocations against the Philippine vessels.ĭuring the discussion, the two leaders discussed the regional security environment as well as the two countries' mutual strategic security interests and opportunities for increased military cooperation, according to a summary of the phone call. CQ Brown, Jr., spoke with Philippines Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad and emphasized that the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone," according to the meeting summary.Ĭhairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. ![]() "Secretary Austin reiterated President Biden's message that the U.S. The secretaries also discussed recent provocations by China during the meeting. ![]() as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia.ĭuring their discussion, the secretaries applauded the "historic momentum" in the alliance, "which has upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over seventy years," according to a joint summary of the meeting. Austin III met last month with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. "Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippines maritime operations undermines regional stability." "By impeding the safe operations of Philippine vessels carrying provisions to Filipino service members stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC interfered in lawful Philippine maritime operations and in Philippine vessels' exercise of high seas freedom of navigation," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Sunday. "We're going to continue to consult very closely with our Philippine allies and our partners in the region," he told reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon.Ĭhinese vessels carried out unsafe maneuvers against Philippine vessels operating outside the Scarborough Reef on Saturday and again near the Second Thomas Shoal on Sunday.ĭuring the encounters, the Chinese vessels employed water cannons and forced a collision which caused damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions.Ĭhinese military ships operating near the Scarborough Reef also used acoustic devices to incapacitate Filipino crew members. Ryder underscored the United States' "ironclad" commitment to upholding its obligations under its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and urged "all nations to work together in the region to ensure that ships and aircraft can sail wherever international law allows." Defense officials remain in close consultation with counterparts from the Philippines following the latest unsafe operational behavior by Chinese military vessels against Philippine vessels operating lawfully in the South China Sea over the weekend, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj.
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