Live Breaking News & Updates on Charged 39 Affaires Heather Variava Left And Deputy Secretary Of State Wendy Sherman Manila The United States Supports Philippines Quot Completely To Ensure Its Sovereignty Freedom Navigation In South China Sea Ina Recent Media Roundtable

Charge d'Affaires Heather Variava (left) and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman MANILA - The United States supports the Philippines "completely" to ensure its sovereignty and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. In a recent media roundtable, visiting Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said this US commitment is part of its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines. "The Philippines has been a leader and a champion for upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in the face of increasing encroachments," she said. "The United States remains committed to standing with the government of the Philippines to uphold the rules and laws underpinning the international maritime order, and we have spoken up against infringements of the Philippines' sovereign rights," she said. The statement came hours before the Philippine government on Thursday said it protested the return of some 100 illegal Chinese vessels in the Julian F ....

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