The United States Department of State condemned what it described as China's "dangerous actions against Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea" on August 19 and reaffirmed its alliance with Manilla, in a statement on Monday.
"PRC ships employed reckless maneuvers, deliberately colliding with two Philippine Coast Guard ships, causing structural damage and jeopardizing the safety of the crew onboard," the State Department said, calling the actions the "latest example" of China's illegal attempts to enforce its claims in the South China Sea.
According to the State Department, any armed attack against the Philippines's military forces, public vessels, aircraft, and Coast Guard in the South China Sea could trigger Article IV of the mutual defense treaty between the Phillippines and the US.
