The United States Embassy in the Philippines has released a statement condemning China’s recent acts of aggression against a vessel of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the South China Sea.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 14, the US Embassy denounced Beijing’s “dangerous maneuvers” following the October 12 incident involving Chinese vessels and the BFAR ship near Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island).
“The United States condemns China’s October 12 ramming and water cannoning of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel close to Thitu Island in the South China Sea,” said Thomas Pigott, Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State Principal.
He added, “We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s dangerous actions which undermine regional stability.”
The US also reiterated its commitment to the 1951 United States–Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, specifically Article IV, which states that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific area would pose a threat to peace and security, and that both nations would act to meet common dangers.
It may be recalled that three BFAR vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were positioned near Thitu Island when Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia vessels approached and carried out ramming and water cannoning maneuvers against the Filipino ships.