MANILA, Philippines — The United States stands with its ally, the Philippines, in condemning the “unsafe” action by a Chinese helicopter against a Philippine aircraft conducting routine patrol over the Scarborough or Panatag Shoal.
The 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea, the US Department of State reiterated.
