Nagpahayag ng suporta ang United States sa Pilipinas matapos umanong atakihin ng Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ang supply boat ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) malapit sa Ayungin Shoal gamit ang "water cannon" nitong Sabado, Agosto 5.
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"The United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of dangerous actions by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to obstruct an August 5 Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea," pahayag ng US na inilabas ng US Embassy nitong Linggo, Agosto 6.
“Such actions by the PRC are inconsistent with international law and are the latest in repeated threats to the status quo in the South China Sea, directly threatening regional peace and stability."
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“By impeding necessary provisions from reaching the Filipino servicemembers stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC has also undertaken unwarranted interference in lawful Philippine maritime operations,” saad pa nito.
Binanggit din ng US ang desisyon ng international tribunal na inilabas noong Hulyo 2016, kung saan walang legal na pag-angkin ang PRC sa maritime area sa paligid ng Second Thomas Shoal, na nasa loob ng exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas.
“The United States reiterates, pursuant to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines. The United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the arbitral ruling as well as to respect the freedom of navigation – a right to which all states are entitled,” anang US.
“The United States reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces—including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea—would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” saad pa nito.
