HEADLINE-ASIA GEOPOLITICS | MANILA: United States congratulates Philippines for ‘eloquently’ expressing South China Sea position
The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 16, 2024./ STAR / Miguel De Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — The United States congratulated the Philippines for “eloquently laying out the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea (SCS).”
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III met on the sidelines of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, to update each other on the progress made by both countries since the recent SQUAD meeting in Hawaii.
The “SQUAD” is the quadrilateral alliance among the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, which had a series of meetings in Hawaii with Austin last month. The four countries held marine military drills in April.
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingAustin opened the discussion by congratulating President Marcos for laying out the Philippines’ position on the SCS.
Teodoro responded by expressing his “appreciation to the US for supporting Marcos’ thesis which underscores the rights of small states.” Austin reiterated the point he made during his talk on The New Convergence in the Indo-Pacific on the previous day.
“The harassment that the Philippines has faced is dangerous – pure and simple. And we all share an interest in ensuring that the South China Sea remains open and free,” Austin said.
“We are beyond friends and allies, we are family. What affects you affects us,” he added.
