The presence of the China Coast Guard persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard 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 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — The US Department of State said Tuesday that the United States stands with the Philippines and condemned Chinese actions against a resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre, which is grounded on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

The US issued the statement amid high tension over an incident in the West Philippine Sea, where Beijing claims a Philippine vessel collided with a Chinese one.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has refused to give details about the incident but called China’s narrative deceptive and misleading.

"The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights. The continued aggressive actions of the CCG are escalating tensions in the region,” the AFP said on Monday.

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“[People’s Republic of China] 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,” the US State Department said.

“Beijing’s actions reflect consistent disregard for the safety of Filipinos and for international law in the South China Sea,” it also said, noting a string of incidents involving dangerous maritime maneuvers and the use of water cannons against Philippine resupply missions.

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The US stressed that the 2016 arbitral ruling, which China has rejected as invalid, is binding under international law.

“The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft — including those of its Coast Guard — anywhere in the South China Sea,” it also said.

The Marcos administration has welcomed broader engagement with the US and with other partner nations, as well as the European Union, in the simmering dispute with China, which claims a large part of the West Philippine Sea.

Activist groups, including Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, though, warn that US presence in the West Philippine Sea — and in the Philippines, in general — puts the country at risk of being caught in the middle of the rivalry between the US and China.

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