Obama: Nations must play by the rules in resolving sea disputes

MANILA, Philippines - United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday renewed his call for a peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea dispute.

In his State of the Union Address on Wednesday morning (Manila time), Obama mentioned the US' strengthened ties to its allies in the Asia Pacific and how the sea disputes in the region should be resolved.

"In the Asia Pacific, we are modernizing alliances while making sure that other nations play by the rules?—?in how they trade, how they resolve maritime disputes, and how they participate in meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation and disaster relief," he said.

In April 2014, Obama visited four Asian defense allies including the Philippines to reassure US support amid China's increasing maritime aggression in the disputed South and East China Seas.

Obama arrived in the Philippines on the same day Washington and Manila signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 10-year deal that allows a bigger American military presence in the country.

The American leader said the agreement will benefit the two treaty allies, particularly on military readiness, maritime security and response to calamities.

Obama had said that Washington's goal is not to contain the Asian giant. But in a speech before Filipino and American soldiers, Obama reiterated the US government's commitment to defend the Philippines against any external armed attacks.

"Our commitment to defend the Philippines is ironclad and the United States will keep that commitment, because allies never stand alone," he said.