The US and Philippine navies conducted a joint patrol in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, a step that increases the chance of a dangerous encounter between US and Chinese vessels.
The US Navy’s Japan-based Seventh Fleet said the guided missile-destroyer USS Ralph Johnson joined the Philippine guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal for the “bilateral sail.”
“During the sail, the ships completed division tactics (DIVTACS), which is at-sea training designed for ship handlers to practice maneuvering within close proximity to other vessels and improve the confidence of the bridge teams to manage more challenging sailing conditions,” the Seventh Fleet said.
The joint patrol comes after the commander of the Seventh Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, said the US must “challenge” China in the South China Sea.
The Philippine military’s Western Command said it was the first time that Washington and Manila conducted a joint naval patrol west of Palawan, a Philippine island province on the South China Sea. “This event aims to provide an opportunity for the Philippine Navy and the US Indo-Pacific Navy to test and refine existing maritime doctrine,” the command said.
The patrol comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, as Chinese and Philippine vessels have had tense stand-offs near Second Thomas Shoal, a reef claimed by both sides. In one incident on August 5, the Chinese Coast Guard fired a water cannon toward Philippine boats trying to resupply a grounded ship on the reef.
The US has repeatedly affirmed that the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine boats in the South China Sea, meaning the US will intervene if the maritime spat between Beijing and Manila turns hot. The US recently formalized the war guarantee by issuing new guidelines for the treaty.
It is only a brief period of time before an incident is created as has happened in the past that causes a major conflict to occur between the US forces and the Chinese. When the US wants war it always achieves its goal.
There is an old adage. Be careful what you want,you may get it.
Let’s assume the Chinese attacked a Philippine reef, boat, make it an island. Are you telling me we all need to die because of that? …No?
…Forget about the 600 Chinese nuclear heads? All 1.4 billion Chinese die? …We don’t? …We end all wars? …Okay, then. Proceed. You never lied to me before. (Brainwashed Sarcasm but may be far from the truth)
Okay kids, it’s way past time to grow the f up and play nice in the sandbox together while we negatively wreck this planet, doncha think?
two puppets training together for possible US employment
. . .from Manila Times–
The US Rules-Based International Order™ requires statutory safeguards with the Congress and the UNSC that of course the US probably wouldn’t follow, or they might even fabricate an attack as they did in Vietnam years ago.
FACT SHEET: U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Defense Guidelines
The guidelines reaffirm that an armed attack in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea, on either of their public vessels, aircraft, or armed forces – which includes their Coast Guards – would invoke mutual defense commitments under Articles IV and V of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. . . . .here
ARTICLE IV
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
ARTICLE V
For the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific. . . .here
Poor Philippine military is scared out of their wits about doing this exercise.