Even if it is not directly involved in the disputes in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, the United States has a valid reason to feel concerned about threats to freedom of navigation and commerce posed by China’s island building activities, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. “I think the US is very concerned on the effect of reclamation, specially with regard to the freedom of navigation and unimpeded flow of commerce because these are the two things the US is very much concerned about and if these two things are threatened or undermined, I think they will take action so that these things will not happen,” said Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose.

Brago, P., & Romero, A. (2015, June 2). US concern on China reclamation valid - DFA. Philippine Star, p. 3.