US affirms support on PHL amid decision on WPS issue

The Russian destroyer Neustrashimy enroute to Somalia crosses the Suez Canal waterway at the south gate, about 100 km southeast of Cairo, October 21, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer | by Rita Salonga via RH News

Manila, Philippines - The United States of America assures the Philippines of its support amid the bullying and excessive reclamation activities of China at the West Philippine Sea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed the said matter after his talk with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, two days after the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued its decision on the disputed territories at the West Philippine Sea.

Secretary Lorenzana said that Secretary Carter made the assurance that the alliance between the US and the Philippines will remain strong, especially with its Defense agreements.

During the said conversation, Carter said that the Chinese government promised that they will not do anything against the Philippines amid the ruling of the arbitral tribunal going in favor of the latter.
Even the US will not make any move, therefore the US Defense Secretary hopes that the Philippines will extend the same courtesy as China.

Meanwhile, Lorenzana said that the Philippines will exercise restraint while the Department of Foreign Affairs continue to study on the implication of the international court’s decision.

Lorenzana is also making an appeal for Filipinos to be subdued in celebrating the landmark decision of the arbitral court on the issue of the West Philippine Sea.