Philippines, US, and Japan to Enhance Maritime Defense Capabilities
Security officials from the three countries conveyed their concerns regarding China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea, describing them as “dangerous and unlawful.”
The Philippines, the United States, and Japan have pledged to enhance trilateral defense and security efforts to “maintain a free and open maritime order.” This commitment comes in response to what they perceive as “reckless and provocative actions” by Chinese vessels in Philippine waters and other parts of the South China Sea.
During a three-way phone conversation on Wednesday, December 13, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, along with his counterparts Jake Sullivan from the United States and Akiba Takeo from Japan, reaffirmed their dedication to freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
The officials underscored the fundamental importance of preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This joint stance reflects the shared concerns of these nations regarding China’s activities in the contested maritime areas.
The trio, consisting of the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, expressed their apprehension regarding China’s recent “dangerous and unlawful” activities in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea.
They called on Beijing again to adhere to the legally binding ruling in 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, invalidating China’s extensive claim and reaffirming the Philippines’ maritime entitlements.
During their phone conversation, Jake Sullivan reiterated Washington’s iron-clad alliance commitments to Japan and the Philippines. The three national security officials emphasized the importance of strengthening trilateral cooperation and committed to continuing the implementation of initiatives discussed in their June meeting.
These initiatives include efforts to enhance defense and security capabilities, especially in cybersecurity; uphold a free and open maritime order; boost cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; and support a free and fair economic order. This collaborative approach addresses shared concerns and promotes stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The three NSAs reaffirmed their decision to conduct close trilateral coordination over the coming months to advance their shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement from Washington read.
In a phone conversation on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., discussed China’s recent hostile actions, which involved the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers to expel Philippine vessels on humanitarian missions from Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc. Both locations are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
During the conversation, Austin expressed U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights in accordance with international law. This dialogue underscores the diplomatic engagement between the two nations and the United States’ commitment to supporting its allies in the face of regional challenges.
In the phone conversation, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III reiterated that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines covers the armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft of both countries in the Pacific and South China Sea. He commended the professionalism of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in response to China’s unlawful behavior.
Austin and Teodoro also highlighted recent bilateral maritime activities in the South China Sea involving the Philippines, the U.S., and Australia. The Pentagon press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that U.S. defense officials were closely consulting with their counterparts in the Philippines following the recent incident of China’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
The incident led Manila to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and file a diplomatic protest, adding to the more than a hundred protests lodged against Beijing for its hostile activities in Philippine waters. AFP Chief Gen.
Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed a conversation with Ambassador Huang before the Ayungin Shoal incident, describing it as an “intellectual discussion” where they presented their respective positions on the West Philippine Sea issue without raising their voices. This underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the complexities in the region.
“It was a discussion, it was an intellectual discussion between the two us, so they were asserting their stand and I was also asserting the Philippine stand,” he told Radyo 630 in an interview Wednesday night.
He recalled seeing the ambassador earlier and telling him not to let Chinese ships block the Christmas convoy. “I told him not to block the Christmas convoy, as they would be merely bringing Christmas food and gifts to our soldiers and the communities in the WPS,” he said.
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He said Huang was insisting that the WPS is Chinese territory. “I told him we are just there to protect our sovereignty and our sovereign rights.”
