The United States expressed its “ironclad” commitment to the Philippines under a defense treaty that it affirmed also covers armed attacks against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which is now caught in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
 

An April 1 (US time) readout of the call between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Año emphasized the ties between the two countries amid growing tensions in the contested waters.
 

“Mr. Sullivan underscored the ironclad U.S. alliance commitments to the Philippines under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—to include those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea,” the readout said.
 

”Mr. Sullivan also emphasized U.S. support for the Philippines following the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous actions on March 23 obstructing a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal,” it added.
 

The Second Thomas Shoal is referred to as the Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, and was the site of recent multiple dangerous water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Philippine supply vessels on their way to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.
 

Año’s and Sullivan’s conversation came after President Marcos announced last week “a response and countermeasure package” against China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
 

The Chief Executive said he was in constant communication with allies and partners in the international community and they have offered help on what the Philippines requires to protect its sovereignty, sovereignty rights, and jurisdiction.
 

During the call, the two officials discussed “preparations for the visit of Philippine President Marcos to the White House and the historic Japan-Philippines-U.S. trilateral leaders’ summit.”
 

Marcos, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be attending the summit on April 11.
 

The meeting at the White House will be the first time the three leaders will meet with each other at the same time. Marcos met with Kishida and Biden separately on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City last Sept. 2022.
 

Both Japan and the Philippines are US treaty-allies, with the Philippines also enjoying deep ties with Japan.
 

The meeting is expected to be viewed closely by the diplomatic community, especially by Beijing, as Manila and Tokyo are hoping to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement this month to allow Japanese defense forces in the country.
 

The agreement is similar to the Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.