US senators urge Biden for 'visible' response to help Philippines thwart ChinaPhilippine coast guard personnel wave US and Philippine flags as the US coast Guard cutter Midgett docks at the international port in Manila on August 30, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Two ranking United States senators have urged US President Joe Biden to present military, economic and diplomatic options to help the Philippines stave off China's further aggression in the South China Sea. “Limiting our response to verbal assurances of the applicability of Article IV undermines the credibility and value of these commitments," the senators added. Bersamin initially described the incident as "probably a misunderstanding," pointing out that the Chinese crew members only used bladed weapons. Earlier in 2023, the Philippines announced four new military bases open to US troops under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, prompting China to rebuke the Philippines for "[endangering] regional peace and stability."
