By Shannon Tiezzi
A U.S. admiral’s security assurance to the Philippines was not as firm as recent commitments to Japan and South Korea.
Admiral Jonathan Greenert, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, is in the Philippines this week in a visit designed to bolster defense ties between the two allies. While there, Greenert told students of the National Defense College of the Philippines that the U.S. would fulfill its treaty obligations by coming to the Philippines’ aid in the event of a Chinese occupation of disputed territories. “Of course, we would help you,” Greenert said.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry similarly reiterated America’s defense commitment to Japan after a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Kerry said that “the United States remains as committed as ever to upholding our treaty obligations with our Japanese allies. That includes with respect to the East China Sea.” According to a senior State Department official, Kerry also plans to reaffirm the United States’ alliance commitments to South Korea during his time in Seoul today.
Read the full story at The Diplomat