Sending US ships to escort Philippine vessels on supply missions in the West Philippine Sea is “an entirely reasonable option,” the chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command said yesterday. Admiral Samuel Paparo made the remarks on the sidelines of a defense forum in Manila, in response to a media query whether Washington would consider providing escorts to Philippine ships taking supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre or to land features in the West Philippine Sea occupied by Filipinos. “I mean certainly, within the context of consultations,” Paparo added, without giving details of ships likely to be employed for the task.

Punongbayan, M., & Romero, A. (2024, August 28). US open to escort Philippine resupply missions in West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Star, p. 2.