Blinken Reaffirms US 'Ironclad' Defense Commitments to Philippines

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MANILA, Philippines — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated on Tuesday the United States' unwavering commitment to defend its longtime ally, the Philippines, against any armed attack in the South China Sea.

This visit to Manila marks Blinken's second since President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. took office in 2022 and forms part of a short Asia tour to bolster US support for regional allies facing China's assertiveness.

Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, dismissing competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, and ignoring an international ruling that invalidated its stance.

Blinken's renewed pledge follows recent encounters involving Philippine and Chinese vessels near disputed reefs off the Southeast Asian country's coast, including collisions.

"These waterways are critical to the Philippines, to its security, to its economy, but they're also critical to the interests of the region, the United States, and the world," Blinken stated during a joint press conference with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

"That's why we stand with the Philippines and uphold our ironclad defense commitments, including under the mutual defense treaty," he added.

Following Blinken's remarks, China responded by saying the United States has "no right" to interfere in the South China Sea disputes.


"The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime matters between China and the Philippines," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing.

Blinken's visit comes ahead of a trilateral meeting in Washington next month involving US President Joe Biden, President Marcos, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The summit aims to promote a "shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

In his meeting with Marcos, Blinken emphasized that the alliance between the United States and the Philippines was "more than rock solid" and "an absolute priority for President Biden."

Top US officials have repeatedly asserted that "an armed attack" on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, armed forces, and coastguard would trigger the 1951 US-Philippines mutual defense treaty, obliging Washington to defend its ally.

Marcos has expressed "great alarm" over recent confrontations that have led to diplomatic tensions between Manila and Beijing.

During his visit, Blinken also toured a semiconductor plant, highlighting the Philippines as "an increasingly critical partner" in ensuring a "resilient" supply chain for chips. The United States aims to strengthen its leadership in the chip industry for national security reasons and to counter competition from China.


'Strengthening the Alliance' 

Beijing has accused Washington of using the Philippines as a "pawn" in the South China Sea disputes. China deploys patrol boats in the busy waterway and has built militarized artificial islands to reinforce its claims.

At the press conference, Manalo emphasized to Blinken the need for "more substantial US investments to enhance our defense and civilian law enforcement capabilities."

Blinken's visit aimed at "advancing the alliance," said Renato Cruz De Castro, a professor of international studies at De La Salle University in Manila.

Marcos would also likely be keen to learn from Blinken what the "trigger points" are for the United States to invoke their mutual defense treaty, noted Herman Kraft, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines.

Relations between Washington and Manila were strained under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who shifted towards China. However, since taking office, Marcos has sought to strengthen cooperation with the United States and regional neighbors while resisting Chinese aggression towards Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.



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