Damage, injury to Philippines in South China Sea is ‘irresponsible behaviour’, says US Defense Secretary

HONOLULU – The injuring of Filipino crew and damage to Philippine vessels in the South China Sea is “irresponsible behavior and disregards international law”, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a joint press conference on Thursday.

Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told the press conference the job was to ensure that through building capacity and deterrence there were no situations where a Mutual Defense Treaty would be triggered.

“We need to assert our rights but in a manner that safeguards the safety of each and every member of the Philippines’ armed force,” he said.

China claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. – Reuters