The Philippines yesterday expressed support for the United States’ plan to conduct freedom of navigation operations in disputed areas in the South China Sea. This came after US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear told a Senate panel last month that the Obama administration is considering conducting more freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea as a partial counter to China’s rapid artificial island expansion in the region. Shear also told the Senate panel that the last time a US warship passed within 12 nautical miles of a Chinese-claimed artificial island was in 2013, and it was up to the White House to authorize additional passes.

Lee-Brago, P. (2015, October 14), Phl backs US plan to navigate disputed seas. Philippine Star, p. 14.