The US under President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has affirmed its commitment to help the Philippines in case its naval ships are attacked by China amid growing tensions in the South China Sea. The US would help its former colony and other claimant countries stand up against Chinese aggression in the disputed waterway, Antony J. Blinken, whom the US Senate confirmed as secretary of state this week, told Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. during a call on Thursday. “Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of the Mutual Defense Treaty for the security of both nations, and its clear application to armed attacks against the Philippine Armed Forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea,” US Department of State spokesman Edward Price said in an e-mailed statement.

Tadalan, C. A. (2021, January 29 - 30). US vows to help Manila in case of war vs China. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.