NAGPAHATID ng suporta ang Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas matapos ang panibagong “harassment” ng China Coast Guard sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Nob. 16.
“The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of this escalation,” ayon kay Ned Price, U.S. State Department spokesperson, sa isang kalatas.
Ayon kay Price, ang ginawang pagharang at pagbomba ng water cannons laban sa Philippine supply boats ay “directly threatens regional peace and stability, escalates regional tensions, infringes upon freedom of navigation.”
“The People’s Republic of China and the Philippines, pursuant to their treaty obligations under the Law of the Sea Convention, are legally bound to comply with this decision. The PRC should not interfere with lawful Philippine activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” dagdag pa nito.
Iginiit din nito na anumang armed attack sa Philippine public vessels sa South China Sea ang mag-uudyok sa US para i-invoke ang kanilang commitment sa ilalim ng Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
“The United States strongly believes that PRC actions asserting its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims undermine peace and security in the region,” dagdag pa nito.
China harassment: US ‘sumaklolo’ sa Pinas
