The United States (US) has vowed to do everything necessary to protect freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as it reiterated that it would defend the Philippines if attacked by a foreign aggressor. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said the position of the US has not changed and that it remains committed to Southeast Asia and its military alliance with the Philippines. “We are doing everything possible to promote and protect international rights such as freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight,” Kim said in a television interview.

Antiporda, J. (2018, January 11). US asserts rights over disputed sea. The Manilla Times, pp. A1, A2.