Fisherfolk on small bancas join volunteers from the Atin Ito Coalition and members of the media as they prepare to depart from Matalbis Port in Masinloc, Zambales, for the second civilian resupply mission to the West Philippine Sea on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Atin To

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171869102268520240515-atin-ito-wps-MT-44.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fisherfolk on small bancas join volunteers from the Atin Ito Coalition and members of the media as they prepare to depart from Matalbis Port in Masinloc, Zambales, for the second civilian resupply mission to the West Philippine Sea on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fisherfolk on small bancas join volunteers from the Atin Ito Coalition and members of the media as they prepare to depart from Matalbis Port in Masinloc, Zambales, for the second civilian resupply mission to the West Philippine Sea on May 16, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Washington on Tuesday reaffirmed that Philippines and United States&#x27; Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft — including those of the coast guard — anywhere in the South China Sea.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/17/-deceptive-misleading-afp-rejects-china-claims-on-ayungin-collision-1353">• &#x27;Deceptive, misleading: AFP rejects China claims on Ayungin &#x27;collision&#x27;</a></div><p>US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated the terms of the treaty a day after China conducted dangerous maneuvers, including using water cannon, ramming and towing, against Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/20/-war-is-not-on-the-table-ph-gears-up-for-balikatan-exercises-1713">• ‘War is not on the table’: PH gears up for Balikatan exercises</a></div><p>“The United States stands with its ally, the Philippines, and condemns the escalatory and irresponsible actions by the People’s Republic of China to deny the Philippines from lawfully delivering humanitarian supplies to service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre on June 17,” Miller said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/15/filipino-fishermen-continue-to-sail-despite-china-s-arrest-threat-2022">• Filipino fishers continue to sail despite China’s arrest threat</a></div><p>“PRC vessels’ dangerous and deliberate use of water cannons, ramming, blocking maneuvers, and towing damaged Philippine vessels, endangered the lives of Philippine service members, is reckless, and threatens regional peace and stability,” he added.</p><p>Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell also spoke about the Ayungin incident, according to a release from the US.</p><p>The China Coast Guard said in a statement on Monday that it “took control measures” against a “Philippine replenishment ship” that “illegally broke into the sea near Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands.”</p><p>Former US Air Force official and maritime security expert Ray Powell, in an interview with defense reporters, said China’s use of the phrase “control measures” usually indicates the use of water cannon.</p><p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will resist China’s “dangerous and reckless” behavior in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/17/philippine-ship-chinese-vessel-collide-in-south-china-sea-beijing-936">• Philippine, Chinese ships collide near hotspot reef: Beijing</a></div><p>“Their behavior contravenes their statements of good faith and decency,” Teodoro said in a statement.</p><p>He went on, “We will exert our utmost in order to fulfill our sworn mandate to protect our territorial integrity, sovereignty and sovereign rights.”</p><p>Teodoro further said it is clear that China’s actions are the “true obstacles to peace and stability in the South China Sea.”</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Yqo_hmQWJc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippines and United States' Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft, Washington reiterated.</p>

The Philippines and United States' Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft, Washington reiterated.

US reaffirms defense pact with PH after recent China 'collision' in Ayungin | ABS-CBN

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US reaffirms defense pact with PH after recent China 'collision' in Ayungin

US reaffirms defense pact with PH after recent China 'collision' in Ayungin

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 18, 2024 02:41 PM PHT

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resupply mission

West Philippine Sea

Ayungin Shoal

BRP Sierra Madre

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