MANILA – The Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their decades-long alliance and pledged to defend freedom of navigation and lawful use of the seas amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

In a joint statement issued Tuesday following the 12th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) in Manila, both countries criticized China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive” activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), citing threats to regional peace, stability, and Indo-Pacific economies.

“Both sides underscored their unwavering commitment to uphold a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific, grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” the statement read.

The Philippines and the U.S. committed to maintaining a vigilant posture to prevent conflict, strengthen deterrence, and keep sea lanes open from arbitrary control by any country. The statement highlighted that “collective defense is critical to denying and deterring aggression anywhere in the First Island Chain.”

The dialogue reaffirmed the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which covers armed attacks on either country’s armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels—including coast guard units—anywhere in the Pacific, including the WPS.

Both sides also pledged to enhance maritime domain awareness, expand joint exercises such as Balikatan, and strengthen cooperation with allies like Japan and Australia to deter aggression. Since 2024, the alliance has conducted over 500 joint exercises and exchanges, deployed high-end capabilities such as the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), and advanced U.S. investments in Philippine defense infrastructure under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Economic cooperation was also highlighted, including commitments to strengthen the Luzon Economic Corridor, expand critical minerals supply chains, and develop energy and nuclear infrastructure to support long-term regional security and economic growth.

The partners reaffirmed counterterrorism cooperation and vowed to address transnational crimes, narcotics trafficking, illegal migration, and human rights protection. They emphasized the importance of multilateral collaboration, particularly as the Philippines chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

The joint statement also noted support for regional stability in the Taiwan Strait and condemned the use or threat of force against the sovereignty of any state. A foreign minister-level trilateral dialogue with Japan was agreed upon, alongside close coordination throughout the year to ensure a secure, prosperous, and stable Indo-Pacific.

(PNA)