The Defense department said Thursday it was keeping “all our options open” as Washington warned Beijing against increasing aggressive moves in the region amid the presence of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef – part of the country’s exclusive economic zone – and other parts of the West Philippine Sea. “As the situation (in the South China Sea) evolves, we keep all our options open in managing the situation, including leveraging our partnerships with other nations such as the United States,” Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Thursday. The United States earlier reminded China of Washington’s obligations to its treaty partners.

PH options open; US warns China. (2021, April 9). Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.