Part 6/16:
Six days after the clashes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awarded medals to Filipino troops for their restraint, reinforcing national pride and a commitment to peace. The U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty, established in 1951, forms the backbone of American commitment to regional security. The Biden administration clarified that any armed attack on Filipino ships or forces in the South China Sea would trigger U.S. support, raising the prospect of direct involvement if conflicts escalate further.