President Aquino said the United States would be obligated to take military action in the South China Sea if China moved to reclaim a hotly contested reef directly off the Philippines. Mr. Aquino said he had no indication that China had imminent plans to develop the reef, known as Scarborough Shoal, which sits 185 nautical miles from Manila. But he suggested that there would be a harsh response if China decided to do so, saying that in his view the United States would be forced to defend the Philippines or risk losing its credibility in the region.

'US must act if China moves on reef'. (2016, May 21). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A2.