The United States warned yesterday that any attack on Philippine security forces in the South China Sea would trigger a 67-year-old treaty requiring American troops to intervene.
“Any armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea would trigger mutual defence obligations under Article 4 of our Mutual Defence Treaty,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a news briefing.
Mr Pompeo said the Philippines, as an island nation, “depends on free and unobstructed access to the seas”. “China’s island-building and military activities in the South China Sea threaten your sovereignty, security and therefore economic livelihood, as well as that of the US.”
more at link...
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/us-will-defend-philippines-in-south-china-sea-pompeo
Yes I recall that.....we’ve assured the Philippines many times we have their backs. They do seem to need convincing often these days.