Photo shows Filipino journalists Malou Talosig-Bartolome and Michaela del Callar with visiting US Reps. Jasmine Crockett , Andy Barr , Young Kim , and Jonathan Jackson FOUR United States representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties are in Manila to show “bipartisan” support to the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea dispute.
“The common theme that we heard was that PRC has been aggressive, just because they can. But they have seen no pushback for their aggression or consequences of their actions. So, to that end, I think we’re here to show that we are going to meet strength with strength,” Rep. Kim said in an interview with select Filipino reporters.
She cited the recent announcement of Washington DC and Manila to increase the number of sites where US troops can have access to Philippine military camps under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement , and increasing “joint patrols” in WPS. Article 5 of the MDT states that the “an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the Island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.”
“This is what our presence here represents, that this is our commitment. That’s why we’ve come here in person. And we’ve taken the time to meet with the ministers at different levels of government to show this commitment that our government has made and we will keep,” Rep. Jackson said. Barr said his party, the Republican, is also supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in upholding Philippines’ territorial integrity.