Reaffirming the Ties Between the United States and the Philippines
Floor Speech
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Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 837) reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 837
Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with the Philippines on July 4, 1946, and the two countries have since enjoyed expanded and positive relations;
Whereas there are over 4,000,000 United States citizens of Philippine ancestry in the United States;
Whereas the United States and the Philippines have a strong and mutually beneficial trade relationship, with more than $18,900,000,000 in goods and services traded during 2020;
Whereas the People's Republic of China continues to use its Coast Guard and its Merchant Marine to violate the Philippines sovereignty, including in the Scarborough Shoal,
Whereas Chinese Communist Party propaganda now assert claims based on a so-called ``ten-dash line'', after a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitral tribunal ruled that China's nine-dashed line had ``no legal basis'';
Whereas in 1994, the People's Republic of China unlawfully seized Mischief Reef and have since constructed 20 artificial islands that extends the operational capabilities of the People's Liberation Army with the aim of expanding its presence and reinforcing their illegitimate claims to the South China Sea;
Whereas the People's Republic of China is asserting its sweeping claims over the South China Sea by disrupting the regular resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy transport ship, based in the Second Thomas Shoal, by shooting water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard vessels and using military-grade lasers to blind its crew;
Whereas, on April 3, 2023, the Biden administration announced plans today to expand the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement to include four new sites to strengthen interoperability and allow the United States and the Philippines to better address shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region;
Whereas, on August 5, 2023, the United States Department of State reaffirmed that ``an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces--including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea--would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty'';
Whereas, on October 22, 2023, the Chinese Coast Guard rammed a Philippines Coast Guard cutter escorting supplies to the Second Thomas Shoal within the Philippines exclusive economic zone;
Whereas, on April 11, 2024, the leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States held a trilateral summit in Washington, D.C., to expand trilateral cooperation and bolster a free and open Indo-Pacific and an international order based on international law; and
Whereas, on June 17, 2024, PRC vessels tried to deny the Philippines from lawfully delivering humanitarian supplies to service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre through the dangerous use of water cannons, ramming, blocking maneuvers, and towing which damaged Philippine vessels and injured Philippine service members: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reaffirms the United States unwavering commitment to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines if an armed attack against the Philippines assets, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, is committed in the South China Sea;
(2) calls on the United States and Philippines to conduct more joint patrols in the South China Sea, including with other like-minded partners, to underscore the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight;
(3) firmly objects to the People's Republic of China's false sovereignty claims to the South China Sea;
(4) strongly condemns and calls on the People's Republic of China to cease its aggressive and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea;
(5) welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to ensure we adhere to our commitments to the Philippine people, and to foster a free and open Indo- Pacific for all;
(6) emphasizes that respecting the shared values of democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law, especially with regard to the rights of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, critics of the Government, faith and religious leaders, and civil society activists, will strengthen the alliance between the United States and the Philippines; and
(7) reaffirms the United States unwavering commitment to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, in accordance with constitutional processes, if an armed attack against the Philippines assets, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, is committed in the South China Sea.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 837, a resolution that reaffirms the enduring partnership between the United States and the Philippines.
This resolution is a testament to the deep-rooted bonds of friendship, shared values, and mutual interests that have defined our relationship for over a century.
The Philippines is not only a close ally in the Asia-Pacific region, but also a vital partner in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity.
Our two nations share a long history of cooperation from the fight for freedom during World War II to our joint efforts in addressing global challenges today.
Whether it is combating terrorism, the Chinese Communist Party's aggression, or advancing trade, the U.S.-Philippines partnership is instrumental in shaping a safer and more secure world.
In addition to our strategic alliance, the Filipino-American community is an invaluable bridge between the two countries. More than 4 million Filipino Americans contribute to the fabric of America's society, enriching our culture and economy.
Furthermore, this resolution strongly condemns the People's Republic of China's aggressive action against the Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. These provocative maneuvers threaten the peace and stability of the region and violate international law.
We stand in full support of the Philippines' sovereignty over its territorial waters and call on China to respect the rights of all nations in the South China Sea.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res.
I thank Representative Scott for leading this resolution with me and my good friend, Mr. Case, for his testimony.
This resolution sends a clear message: The United States stands firmly with the people of the Philippines and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines in accordance with constitutional processes.
Again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 837.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I wish to underscore my strong support of H. Res. 837 introduced by Mr. Moylan, our colleague from Guam, on Reaffirming Ties Between the United States and the Philippines. It is both timely and critical, as we see the People's Liberation Army Navy and the Chinese Coast Guard intrude on Philippines territorial waters and engage in increasingly belligerent and lawless behavior.
My one quibble with the Resolution is the continued use of the term ``South China Sea'' to refer to that term for the sea west of the Philippines. Why not ``West Philippines Sea,'' an important semantic change that rejects the PRC's claims on Philippines territory and reinforces the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitral panel ruling that the PRC's maritime territorial claims have no basis?
Indeed, even the term in Chinese makes no explicit reference to China. It is simply ``South Sea.''
We have seen repeated aggression by PLA naval and coast guard vessels in the West Philippines Sea. We routinely see Filipino fishing boats harassed and surrounded by a flotilla of navy and coast guard vessels.
There was also an incident this past summer where a Chinese coast guard vessel engaged in a piratical ramming attack against Filipino vessels. Eight Filipino sailors were injured, including one who lost his thumb.
The PLA Navy is playing a dangerous escalation game. A war was once fought over a sailor's severed ear--1739's War of Jenkins' Ear. Will a war now be fought over a severed thumb?
Not if we are resolute. There is a quotation attributed to Lenin: ``You probe with bayonets: if you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw.''
This describes the strategy of the PLA Navy. Probing with bayonets. Unfortunately, up until now, they have only encountered mush. Steely resolution is what is needed to deter war.
It is my hope that the incoming Trump Administration show resolve which sadly has been lacking, including conducting naval exercises in conjunction with our Philippines treaty ally in the West Philippines Sea, and sending ships to escort the Filipino navy in resupplying Filipino sailors and Marines who are staffing an outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal--something that was bravely done just this past week by our stalwart ally.
I thank Representative Moylan for his resolution, underscoring this House's resolve to stand by an ally.
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