Davao City – Andam nga muprotektar ang Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas tali China diha sa isyu sa West Philippine Sea.
Gibutyag kini ni US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim atol sa iyahang pagbisita sa Davao City adlaw’ng Martes.
Nahimong basehan ni Kim ang mismong pamahayag ni US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo nga ilahang depensahan ang Pilipinas subay kini sa ilahang pasalig ilawom sa US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
“Any armed attack against the Philippine forces, Philippine aircraft, and Philippine public vessels will trigger our obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty. It’s a very important clarification of our commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty and I think that clarification stands on its own. We are honestly very committed to the mutual defense treaty through our alliance, which is our oldest alliance in the Pacific Region,” matud ni Kim.
Samtang, gilantaw ni Kim nga usa ka seryuso nga insidente ang nahitabo sa mga Pinoy nga mangingisda sa Recto Bank, West Philippine Sea.
“It appears that it was an accident but it was a very serious situation. I know that the Philippine officials have called on the Chinese authorities to fully investigate the incident. I think that is very important, we to find exactly what happened,” matud niini.
Kahinumduman nga niadtong Hunyo 9, 22 ka mga mangingisda sakay sa naunlod nga Gem-Ver fishing boat sa Recto Bank ang gisalbar sa Vietnamese fishing vessel human kini giingong giligsan ug gi-abandona sa Chinese fishing vessel.
Gisulti sa Ambassador nga angay nga adunay himuong aksyon aron dili na masubli pa ang maong aksidente ug magsilbi kini karong pahimangno nga kinahanglang i-establisar ang responsible nga maritime behavior ilawom sa international law.
“We believe very strongly that we all should protect international rights like freedom of navigation and freedom of life. This is why the US Navy has continued to conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. I think it is an important reminder to all concerned including China that the US will continue to take actions to protect international rights,” matud niini.
Nagpasalamat usab kini nga wala usab kinabuhi ang nakalas atol sa insidente.
Sumala ni Kim nga magpadayon ang US government sa pakigalayon sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ug uban pang mga ahensiya aron epektibong matagad ang susamang mga sitwasyon.
“I think it is more important to note that what we’re doing in general is to work with the Philippine military and Philippine law enforcement agencies to build capacity. I am very pleased that we have such a robust partnership with AFP including the Coast Guard,” gibutyag niini.
RadyoMaN Aimee Guinita
