Pompeo assured the Philippines during a visit to Manila that America will come to its defense if its forces, aircraft or ships come under armed atck in the South China Sea, in the first such public U.S. assurance in recent memory. His comments were an attempt to address Philippine concerns over the vagueness of the allies’ 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which Manila wants re-examined. Pompeo said at a news conference in Manila, “I think the whole world understands that the Trump administration has made a true commitment to making sure that these seas remain open for the security of the countries in the region and the world, open to commercial transit”.
0 Comments