China’s state-owned and controlled media posted a news story and photo, where it seized control of an uninhabited feature in the South China Sea, a clear violation of the 2002 informal code of conduct it agreed to with the 10 Southeast Asian Nations.
The United States has reaffirmed many times its “ironclad” commitment to help defend the Philippines, its oldest ally in the region, in case of an attack on its vessel, aircraft, or personnel anywhere in the Pacific, including the West Philippine Sea.
: A manifesto shared by a pro-China personality falsely claimed that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States is banned under the constitution.
No wonder, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warned during a speech in Palawan last November he would not allow any outside powers, including the US and China, to install or stockpile missiles in the country.
