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China’s “provocative” actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could result in more violence, the United States Department of Defense warned on Wednesday, following the latest confrontation on June 17 at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal that left eight Philippine Navy sailors injured, including one whose finger got cut off.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the ramming and towing of Philippine vessels by Chinese vessels were “obviously very concerning.”
“This kind of behavior is provocative, it’s reckless, it’s unnecessary, and as you highlight, it could lead to something bigger and more violent,” Ryder said at a press briefing.
He assured the Philippines that the United States would “continue to stand” by its security ally under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which binds both countries to come to each other’s aid in the event of an armed attack.
