Philippines asks US to protect its soldiers in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has requested assistance from the U.S. Pacific Command in protecting its operations to deliver troops and supplies to the Second Thomas Shoal, which it occupies.

"If the U.S. flies around the area, we won't have any trouble," AP quoted Philippine Defense Minister Votaire Gazmin as saying in an interview yesterday. "We need help with our resupply mission. The best way the U.S. can help is with their presence."

Gazmin said Admiral Harry Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), assured him that Washington was ready to support Manila. Gazmin also suggested that supply ships would be less harassed by Chinese coast guard vessels if U.S. aircraft were present.

Admiral Harry Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), at a welcoming ceremony at the headquarters of the Philippine armed forces in Quezon City, northeast of Manila, on August 26. Photo: AP

Last year, the U.S. scrambled aircraft at least once when a Philippine ship was delivering supplies to troops stationed on the rusty BRP Sierra Madre, which ran aground on Second Thomas Shoal. Two Chinese coast guard vessels attempted to intercept the Philippine ship but were unsuccessful.

According to Gazmin, the US has agreed to supply two used C-130 transport aircraft, and the handover could take place next year. Admiral Harris said Washington may provide a third coast guard vessel to Manila.

Mây Grass Shoal is part of Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands. The Philippines and China also claim sovereignty over this shoal.

The Philippine Navy deliberately rammed the BRP Sierra Madre onto Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, four years after Beijing seized control of the nearby Mischief Reef.

The U.S. does not take sides in the territorial dispute but claims to have a national interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

According to VNE