The <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3286055/us-philippine-alliance-strengthens-as-it-enters-new-phase/" style="text-decoration:none">US has recently</a> clarified its terms of its defense treaty obligations to the Philippines, which includes putting forth new guidelines that specifically address attacks in the South China Sea, including ones on its coast guard, per <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us-issues-guidelines-defending-philippines-south-china-sea-attack-2023-05-04/?taid=6453b5b77a4344000137e9e2&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" style="text-decoration:none">Reuters</a>. 
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The issue of the guidelines was the first time of its kind since the treaty <a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp" style="text-decoration:none">was signed in 1951</a>. The news comes after Filipino diplomats have protested what it has referred to as “aggressive” <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/14/us-says-beijings-south-china-sea-laser-use-provocative-unsafe" style="text-decoration:none">behavior from China</a>, including threats and actions on its coast guard.

The US has clarified its terms of its defense treaty obligations
with the Philippines.{ai:summary}The US and the Philippines have issued new guidelines in their defense treaty, which specifically outline how they will respond to attacks on coast guard vessels in the South China Sea. This is the first time such guidelines have been put forth since the treaty was signed in 1951. The guidelines do not explicitly target China as a potential threat, but come amid increased tensions with the country over its "aggressive" behavior towards the Philippines and other countries in the region. While the guidelines are only six pages long, they include references to modern types of warfare and "grey zone tactics."The recent bilateral agreement between the US and the Philippines will cause China to take pause, according to Julio Amador, head of the Foundation for the National Interest. However, Beijing has expressed opposition to the agreement potentially interfering in the South China Sea, stating that the area should not be a "hunting ground for external forces." The guidelines emphasize the importance of building interoperability between both countries in conventional and non-conventional domains, recognizing that threats may arise from various domains, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

US vows to uphold treaty and defend Philippines in South China Sea

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