U.S. Defense Secretary Condemns South China Sea Incident

On Thursday, May 2nd, during a joint press conference, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the "irresponsible behavior" in the South China Sea, which led to injury of Filipino crew members and damage to Philippine vessels. He emphasized that such actions disregarded international law.

Philippines' Determination for Safety and Sovereignty

During the same conference, Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro highlighted the importance of building capacity and deterrence to prevent situations that would trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty. He emphasized the need to assert their rights while prioritizing the safety of the Philippines' armed forces.

China claims sovereignty over a significant portion of the South China Sea, through which over $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce passes. This area is also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. This incident has raised concerns internationally and sparked discussions about upholding international law in the South China Sea.