No more ambiguity: Inquirer

Philippine and US navies participate in amphibious landing drills in Zambales, Philippines, on Oct 7, 2022. - Reuters

MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer): An armed attack on the Philippines’ armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments. And that is an unwavering commitment that we have to the Philippines.”

Thus said United States Vice-President Kamala Harris to President Marcos Jr during her courtesy call in Malacanang — words that have been spoken before by other American officials in one form or another.