Envoy: US to protect PH from bullies

THE United States on Friday vowed to defend the Philippines from bullies as the country awaits the decision of an international tribunal on a complaint filed against China over disputed shoals and reefs in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

“The United States stands behind the defense treaty with the Philippines, which President [Barack] Obama has described as ironclad. And if we see one of our allies being bullied or to do things against its will, that of course is the interest of the United States as an ally,” US Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg said in a radio interview.