US vows to defend Philippines against 'armed attack' in warning to China amid WW3 fears

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Philippines “we have your back”, which reaffirmed the defence code that Manila’s security chiefs have sought to revise. Speaking during a stopover after a summit with North Korea, Mr Pompeo said a 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defence Treaty would be adhered to if its ally was a victim of aggression and singled out China as a threat to stability.

He told a news conference in Manila: “China’s island-building and military activities in the South China Sea threaten your sovereignty, security and therefore economic livelihood as well as that of the United States,”

“Any armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defence obligations.”

The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia have competing claims of sovereignty in the waterway, a conduit for in excess of £2.5trillion ($3.4 trillion) of goods carried annually on commercial vessels.

Pompeo hailed those countries as responsible for ensuring “these incredibly vital sea lanes are open and China does not pose a threat to closing them down”.

He also said allies should be wary of risks of using Chinese technology.

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has been seeking a review of the treaty, which was agreed five years after the nation gained independence from the US in 1946, with the aim of clarifying the extent to which America will protect and defend the Philippines should it come under attack.

Mr Lorenzana’s push for greater certainty comes amid a rapid buildup by Beijing of military assets, coastguard and fishing militia in the South China Sea, most notably on and around artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago.

The Philippine-US defence alliance has existed for decades.

Although there is no longer a permanent US military presence in the Philippines, joint exercises, intelligence exchanges and transfers of hardware take place regularly under various agreements.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, however, is not supportive and believes that the alliance makes his country a potential target of China, with which he wants stronger business ties.

Mr Duterte has repeatedly questioned the US commitment, noting that it did nothing to stop China from turning reefs into islands equipped with radar, missiles batteries and hangers for fighter jets, and within firing distance of the Philippines.

Mr Pompeo made a courtesy call to Mr Duterte late on Thursday.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin confirmed discussions on the defence treaty were taking place, but said it was better not be too specific about its parameters.

He said: “I believe in the old theory of deterrence. In vagueness lies the best deterrence.”

“We are very assured, we are very confident that United States has, in the words of Secretary Pompeo, and in the words of President Trump to our president, ‘we have your back’.”

source: express.co.uk