US open to escorting Philippine ships in disputed South China Sea

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo delivers his speech at the conference in Manila (Aaron Favila/AP/PA)

The US military is open to the possibility of escorting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea, depending on consultations under the allies’ 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, officials have said.

Head of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo’s remarks provided a glimpse of the mindset of one of the highest American military commanders outside the US mainland on a prospective operation that would risk putting US Navy ships in direct collisions with those of China.