US assures Manila of support after PLA vessel’s ‘deliberate collision’ in South China Sea

Philippine national security adviser and US counterpart discuss US military aid and Monday’s encounter with China in the disputed waters

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This handout photo taken by the Philippine coastguard shows damage to the BRP Cape Engano after a collision with a Chinese coastguard vessel on Monday near Sabina Shoal. Photo: AFP/Philippine Coast Guard

Published: 4:42am, 21 Aug 2024Updated: 5:25am, 21 Aug 2024

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday condemned China’s “deliberate collision” with two Philippine coastguard vessels this week near the disputed Sabina Shoal during a call with his counterpart in Manila, and cited “continued historic momentum” in the US-Philippine relationship.

Sullivan and Eduardo M. Año also discussed the recently announced US$500 million in American foreign military financing under the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act aimed at helping modernise the Philippines’ armed forces and coastguard, the White House said.

“Sullivan reiterated the ironclad US commitment to the US-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 White House said.

The display of US support follows accusations by Beijing that the Philippines, not China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), caused an intentional collision and that the island nation engaged in “unprofessional and dangerous” behaviour in the South China Sea on Monday morning.

Beijing also said the Philippines flew an espionage drone in the waters near Sabina Shoal to “carry out photographic reconnaissance against the Chinese side”.

Photos released by the Philippine coastguard Monday on X (formerly Twitter) depicting a hole measuring 2.5 feet (76 centimetres) by 3 feet on its vessel in addition to other damage.