United States congratulates Philippines for ‘eloquently’ expressing South China Sea position

MANILA, Philippines — The United States congratulated the Philippines for “eloquently laying out the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea (SCS).”

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III met on the sidelines of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, to update each other on the progress made by both countries since the recent SQUAD meeting in Hawaii.

The “SQUAD” is the quadrilateral alliance among the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, which had a series of meetings in Hawaii with Austin last month. The four countries held marine military drills in April.

Austin opened the discussion by congratulating President Marcos for laying out the Philippines’ position on the SCS.

Teodoro responded by expressing his “appreciation to the US for supporting Marcos’ thesis which underscores the rights of small states.”

Austin reiterated the point he made during his talk on The New Convergence in the Indo-Pacific  on the previous day.

“The harassment that the Philippines has faced is dangerous – pure and simple. And we all share an interest in ensuring that the South China Sea remains open and free,” Austin said.

“We are beyond friends and allies, we are family. What affects you affects us,” he added.