U.S. Could Escort Philippine Ships in South China Sea, Admiral Says

The U.S. military is considering the possibility of escorting Philippine ships in the South China Sea amid heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed waters.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said that the move would depend on consultations under the allies’ 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Chinese coast guard, navy, and suspected militia ships have frequently clashed with Philippine vessels during attempts to resupply Filipino sailors stationed on remote islands claimed by both countries.

Incidents between the Philippines and China have intensified, and the Philippine government has faced questions about whether it should consider invoking its treaty alliance with Washington.

Paparo was speaking at an international military conference in Manila organized by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, alongside Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Paparo expressed openness to the idea of escorting Philippine ships, stating, “Certainly, within the context of consultations.”

“Every option between the two sovereign nations in terms of our mutual defense, escort of one vessel to the other, is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty, among this close alliance between the two of us.”

The move could have potential conflicts with Philippine laws, including a constitutional ban on foreign forces participating in local combat operations.

“The attitude of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is for us to first rely on ourselves,” Brawner said.

“We are going to try all options, all avenues that are available to us in order for us to achieve the mission … in this case, the resupply and rotation of our troops.”

“We will then seek for other options when we are already constrained from doing it ourselves,” Brawner said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has indicated that there is no current situation warranting activation of the treaty so far, which commits the allies to aid each other if attacked.

President Joe Biden and his administration have repeatedly renewed their “ironclad” commitment to help defend the Philippines under the 1951 treaty if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said at the conference that China is “the biggest disrupter” of peace in Southeast Asia.

Teodoro later told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that international statements of concern against China’s actions were “not enough.”

“The antidote is a stronger collective multilateral action against China,” Teodoro said, adding that a U.N. Security Council Resolution would be a strong step, but unlikely given China’s Security Council veto.

He also called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to do more.

“ASEAN, to remain relevant and credible, cannot continue to ignore what China is doing in the South China Sea,” Teodoro said.

In the latest incident on Monday, China reportedly deployed 40 ships to block two Philippine vessels from delivering supplies to a coast guard ship at Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll in the Spratlys.

This marked the third maritime confrontation between the two nations in a week.

Both nations blame each other for the confrontation.

The Philippine coast guard condemned the action and urged China to respect international law.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that “the label of undermining peace can never be pinned on China,” blaming unspecified other actors for “making infringements and provocations in the South China Sea and introducing external forces to undermine the large picture of regional peace and stability.”