The Pentagon has renewed its call for the Philippines to bolster its military ties with Japan and Australia as China continues its maneuvers in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the recommendation to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gibo Teodoro on their first ever interaction by phone since the latter's recent installation. According to the readout provided by the US Defense Department, Austin stressed the opportunities for both Washington and Manila to coordinate more closely with other "like-minded partners," such as Tokyo and Canberra, to ensure that the region's shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific "continues to thrive." Early in June, Manila, Washington and Tokyo held a week-long maritime drills in the South China Sea—a development seen by Japan as "the first in the history." Austin and Teodoro's dialogue came after China made yet another dangerous maneuver against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in the waters off Ayungin Shoal on June 30. As PCG reported that their Chinese counterpart "constantly followed, harassed and obstructed" them, Austin viewed the development in the waters with concern and called it "coercive and risky operational behavior." Austin, during the call, reiterated the US ironclad commitment with the Philippines and added that an attack on the country's r public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces anywhere in the South China Sea would invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with Manila. "The secretaries reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rules-based order and supporting the livelihoods of local Philippine communities and other claimant states that seek to conduct lawful maritime activities in the South China Sea, consistent with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling," the readout added. Meanwhile, Austin and Teodoro agreed to conduct an in-person meeting for in-depth discussions on defense and security priorities. They also looked forward to the conclusion of a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap, which will advance the shared defense modernization goals of the two countries over the next five years, as well as a General Security of Information Agreement to enable future transfers of advanced and interoperable US technology. "Their discussion reaffirmed the United States and the Philippines' mutual commitment to standing as allies to bring greater security, prosperity, and stability to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," the readout stated.