"An armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft will invoke US mutual defense commitments under that treaty," Blinken told a news conference.
Blinken: US will defend Philippines if attacked in South China Sea wishtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wishtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The children of Filipino military and police officers have for decades been “easy targets” for radicalisation and recruitment by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, say experts, as concerns grow over the organisation deemed one of the country’s “most serious” security threats.
Communist rebels have waged an armed insurgency against Manila for more than five decades,.
The incoming economic planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan says he will target at least 6 per cent annual growth throughout President Marcos’ term; priorities will be farming and industry, currently less than 40 per cent of GDP.