Austin expresses ironclad US support for Philippines

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, have discussed the need to safeguard the rights of all countries to fly, sail and operate in keeping with international law.

The two defense chiefs spoke by phone last Wednesday, a day after Teodoro, National Secretary Adviser Eduardo Ano and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner held meetings with visiting US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Charles Brown Jr.

A readout issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said: “Both officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate — safely and responsibly — wherever international law allows.”

It did not mention the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea where tensions have risen in the past months due to China’s aggressive behavior.

Chinese vessels have harassed Philippine military resupply missions for its troops at the Philippine-held Ayungin Shoal by conducting dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning and even ramming.

The last rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) conducted by the Armed Forces for its troops stationed at the Philippine-held Ayungin Shoal was last June 17.

The RoRe was harassed by the Chinese, causing severe injury to a Philippine Navy sailor. The Chinese also took seven firearms and other equipment from the soldiers.

The readout said Austin “expressed ironclad US support for the Philippines.”

“Both officials also welcomed opportunities for frequent communication as a core part of their commitment to strengthening the US-Philippines alliance in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” it added.

Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is planning for the next RoRe mission.

“We are in close contact with (AFP) Western Command (Wescom),” Trinidad told a radio interview. Wescom is in charge of all military operations in the West Philippine Sea.

“The moment that it will be finalized by them (Wescom) and approved for execution, we will be informing everybody appropriately,” said Trinidad.

Trinidad downplayed reports that the next RoRe may coincide with multilateral maritime cooperative activity