US, PH reaffirm commitment to uphold rights, freedoms in South China Sea

MANILA, February 20 ------ The US and the Philippines held their fourth Bilateral Maritime Dialogue in Manila, reaffirming their shared commitment to uphold the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea, in relation to the situation in the South China Sea.

In a joint statement, the longtime allies reinforced their longstanding mutual position supporting freedoms of navigation and overflight, unimpeded commerce, and economic opportunity in the South China Sea, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Emmanuel Donato K. Guzman led the Philippine interagency delegation, while U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Hunt VanderToll and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement David Bedard co-led the U.S. interagency delegation, including U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Dr. Ruth Perry.

Both sides reviewed ongoing cooperative efforts and discussed ways to address current challenges and shared maritime concerns. Also discussed were deepening cooperation on maritime law enforcement, including capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard, advancing shared interests in the blue economy and marine conservation spaces, and in commemorating the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The Bilateral Maritime Dialogue, first held in 2022, serves as a platform to improve maritime policy and operational coordination between the Philippines and the US. It also reflects the strong alliance between the two countries, as they remain committed to convening appropriate bilateral mechanisms such as the Maritime Dialogue to build on the outcomes of prior dialogues and exchanges.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com