Report: U.S. Open to Escorting Philippine Supply Ships in South China Sea

The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, says that the U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine supply ships in the South China Sea, the Associated Press has reported.

During a news conference in Manila with Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Paparo said, “Certainly, within the context of consultations,” when asked about the possibility of escorting Philippine ships delivering supplies to Filipino forces in the South China Sea.

Paparo added, “Every option between the two sovereign nations in terms of our mutual defense, escort of one vessel to the other, is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defense Treaty, among this close alliance between the two of us.”

The statement comes amid increasing clashes between Beijing and Manila in the disputed waters.

Gen. Brawner, however, cited Philippine laws and a constitutional ban on foreign forces directly joining local combat operations. “The attitude of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as dictated by the Philippine laws, is for us to first rely on ourselves,” he said.

The statements follow recent confrontations between the two nations in the South China Sea, including China’s blocking of Philippine vessels attempting to deliver supplies to a coast guard ship at the disputed Sabina Shoal. Both China and the Philippines blame each other for the confrontations.

The statements also come as the U.S.-led naval operation against the Houthis in the Red Sea, known Operation Prosperity Guardian, has not conducted direct escorts for ships through the region. Instead, it has adopted a defensive posture, including shooting down Houthi projectiles and launching direct strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

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