Pentagon: US escort offer stands but PH still lead in resupply missions
The Philippines would continue to be “the lead for its own operations” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even after the chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command said American ships could escort Filipino vessels on resupply missions, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, said at a press briefing in Washington that the US would continue to support Manila’s supply run to its troops in Philippine-occupied features in the WPS.
“What I would say is the Philippines remains the lead for its own operations in the South China Sea, and we continue to provide significant advisory support in addition to our efforts to help modernize the Philippine military,” Ryder said.
He made the comment after US Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo, who is in Manila, said that US ships providing escort to Philippine vessels on resupply missions in the WPS was “an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty.”
Ryder reassured the Philippines that the US commitment to defend its oldest military ally in the region remains ironclad.
Government option
“And so, as allies, we continue to stand with the Philippines, given especially the [People’s Republic of China] has consistently prevented them from executing lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea,” he said.
According to him, “any military support would be at the request of the government of the Philippines,” saying it is “an option within the context of consultations.”
The statements of Paparo and Ryder came after a series of encounters between the Philippines and China in the WPS.
On Aug. 19, two Philippine Coast Guard vessels, BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño, suffered structural damage after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel rammed the two ships near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
Six days later, five CCG ships fired water cannons at BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Escoda. The Chinese vessels also rammed the BFAR ship six times, causing damage to its body and communication and navigational equipment.
Gen. Romeo Brawner, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, however, responding to Paparo’s statement, said the government prefers to run resupply missions by itself despite China’s “dangerous and coercive” actions, but added that it would seek alternatives if needed.
Paparo, who met with President Marcos on Tuesday, is in Manila for the Annual Meeting of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board in Baguio City on Thursday. —WITH A REPORT FROM JULIE M. AURELIO INQ
