US supports PH on WPS, warns it will back Manila if attacked

MANILA — The United States reiterated its vow to the Philippines on the 6th anniversary of the 2016 Hague ruling, and warned that it will back Manila in the event of any armed attacks.

“We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke the U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press statement dated July 11.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a tribunal backed by the United Nations, decided that China’s claims over the South China Sea are unconstitutional because it already exceeds Beijing’s maritime borders.

It also ruled that some of the areas are already within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

China has refused to acknowledge the verdict for the past six years, prompting the Philippines to file over 200 diplomatic protests.

China’s claims over the disputed waters continue to be “plainly inconsistent with international law,” according to a recent US study on coastal state maritime claims, as Blinken noted.

“We call again on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law and cease its provocative behavior.  We will continue to work with allies and partners, as well as regional institutions like ASEAN, to protect and preserve the rules-based order,” Blinken said.

PH commemorates historic ruling

Meanwhile, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo asserted that “these findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable.”

“We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories.”

Manalo added that the Philippines welcomes the support of other nations for backing Manila’s assertion of its sovereignty over the waters.