According to a letter sent to Secretary of States Marco Rubio by the U.S. House Committee on China, Washington has been urged to provide funding to the Philippines in order to counter Beijing's aggressive and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea. The letter warns that cuts could endanger U.S. national security interests.

The House Select Committee on Chinese Communist Party requested clarification on funding for Philippine Coast Guard in the letter it reviewed on Tuesday. It noted that the State Department sought to drastically reduce the budget for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement for 2026, which would "devastate' programmes to help their ally stand against China.

The letter of the select committee follows China's efforts to tighten its grip over Scarborough Shoal. This strategically located feature is one of Asia's top maritime contests, and has been a site where Philippine and Chinese ships have repeatedly clashed.

Beijing has increased its aggressive activities, including efforts to illegally assert control of a large portion of the Philippines exclusive economic zone. The letter stated that (China's coast guard) and maritime militia "regularly attack or physically coerce Philippine ships".

"Beijing’s actions have grown increasingly threatening in the past few months, reflecting this immediate threat."

When contacted by the media about this letter, the U.S. State Department stated that it did not comment on any congressional correspondence. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has not responded to a request made for a comment about the letter.

The United States have stressed that their alliance with the Philippines was "ironclad". In February, the United States exempted security funding for the Philippines from its aid freeze.

The amount of $336 million Washington allocated to the Philippines for modernisation of its defence was not immediately known.

Funding is a 'Must'

China claims sovereignty in almost all of the South China Sea, and it says that it is preventing illegal encroachment onto its territory.

China's coastguard used water cannons on Philippine boats last week, which it claimed had "illegally intruded China's waters". Manila called the action "provocative" and "dangerous".

The tensions have escalated after China announced it would create a national reserve at Scarborough Shoal. Rubio referred to this as "another coercive effort to advance sweeping claims of territorial and maritime jurisdiction".

China's Foreign Ministry protested last week over Rubio’s remarks, accusing the United States for repeatedly interfering and bringing other countries in to "sow fear and discord".

In a letter, the House Select Committee said that it was essential future budget requests continue funding for Philippine maritime law enforcement "as undermining these programmes would threaten our interests in national security".

The signatures of Greg Stanton and Seth Moulton, as well as Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking member were included.

The committee cited recent standoffs including a near-collision between a Chinese Navy ship and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel at Scarborough Shoal. This could have led Manila to invoke a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with Washington.

In 2023, the Philippines successfully lobbied to have the U.S. included in the treaty as a defense against attacks "anywhere" in the South China Sea including coast guard vessels. (Reporting and editing by Alexandra Hudson; Additional reporting in Manila by Karen Lema; Reporting by Martin Petty)

(source: Reuters)