Senator Richard Gordon welcomed on Friday, April 9, the US State Department’s announcement that it was ready to come to the Philippines and Taiwan’s defense should China continue its aggressive activities in the Pacific region. 

“I find it significant, very reassuring and timely today’s statement of the US State Department reiterating the provision of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty that ‘an armed attack against the Philippines’ armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, will trigger our obligations under the treaty’,” Gordon said, citing State Department spokesperson Ned Price’s announcement.

“It is significant too, that the US State Department spokesman referred specifically to the massing of Chinese maritime militia near the Whitsun Reef (Julian Felipe reef),” he added.

“Surely an overwhelming number of Filipinos, myself included, welcome this strong statement of support from the United States, a long-time friend and ally, home to many transplanted Filipinos, and a fellow believer in democratic principles and international law,” the senator further said.

Gordon was among the senators who questioned China’s continuing militarization of the West Philippine Sea and repeated incursions in the country’s maritime territories. 

He also questioned the Duterte administration's continued subservience to China, and called on the government to review its policies towards Beijing. 

“These are difficult and trying times for our country faced with threats to our sovereignty and national health. We are grateful for the assistance offered by friends and allies but we as a people and our leaders must rise to the occasion by doing our part,” Gordon said.

“We should consider concrete and immediate measures to address the threat to our country's sovereignty, for example, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). It is an essential component for the full implementation of the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty,” he pointed out.  

“PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) ordered our withdrawal from the VFA.  Then after the first notice of withdrawal and the subsequent ‘urong-sulong’ sequence, the VFA is kept hanging when a certain degree of certainty is needed in these crucial times,” he lamented.

“We should also look into having more and increased level of military exercises with our allies to improve our defense capabilities,” he also stressed.

Apart from the presence of Chinese militia vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, the US State Department also expressed concern over Beijing’s planes crossing Taiwan’s air defense zone. 

US President Joe Biden had earlier vowed to support a healthy defense of allies, and continue his predecessor Donald Trump’s move to counter China’s assertive moves.