By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – The Philippine government can bank on the support of the United States to protect its international rights amid the tensions stemming from the issues over disputed the West Philippine Sea, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said on Tuesday.
United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim
(EPA-EFE/ROLEX DELA PENA / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a press conference at the Seda Abreeza Hotel in Davao, Kim underscored the need to protect international rights such as the freedom of navigation and the freedom of life in light of the recent maritime incident at the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea where a Filipino fishing boat was reportedly rammed by a Chinese fishing vessel.
The 22 fishermen aboard the sunken Gem-Ver fishing boat at the Recto Bank were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel hours after they were reportedly rammed and abandoned by a Chinese fishing vessel.
“We believe very strongly that we all should protect international rights like freedom of navigation and freedom of life. This is why the US Navy has continued to conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. I think it is an important reminder to all concerned including China that the US will continue to take actions to protect international rights,” he said.
He said the US government would continue to work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies to “build capacity,” so that the agencies would be able to deal with these types of situations more effectively.
“I think it is more important to note that what we’re doing in general is to work with the Philippine military and Philippine law enforcement agencies to build capacity. I am very pleased that we have such a robust partnership with AFP including the Coast Guard,” he said.
Citing US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, Kim vowed the US will protect the Philippines as part of its commitment under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
He said any armed attack “against the Philippine forces, Philippine aircraft, and Philippine public vessels will trigger our obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty.”
“It’s a very important clarification of our commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty. And I think that clarification stands on its own. We are honestly very committed to the mutual defense treaty through our alliance, which is our oldest alliance in the pacific region,” Kim added.