America to help PH in case of ‘shooting war’

THE United States has vowed to help the Philippines, a treaty ally, if its dispute with China turns into a “shooting war.”

“The Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States. President Obama, when he was here, said that the treaty is ironclad. We take seriously our responsibilities, our obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty,” United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said.

He said the US and the Philippines may also hold joint maritime patrols in the disputed waters of the South China Sea under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

While EDCA is not directly related to the South China Sea issues, the US envoy said the agreement aims to build a minimum credible defense posture for the Philippines.

Goldberg said joint maritime patrols would be well within the rights of both countries under international law to exercise their freedom of navigation in accordance with the United Nation Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Washington believes it is well within its rights under international law to sail in international waters and fly through international airspace,” Goldberg said.

“We do discuss that principle with the Philippines and so I’m not discarding that possibility, but we’re not going to make announcements about that beforehand because it’s our view that we have every right under international law to exercise freedom of navigation in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, and we will continue to do so,” he said.

The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the bilateral accord, allowing more US troops in the country.