Damage, injury to Philippines in Sth China Sea is 'irresponsible behaviour', says US Defense Secretary

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HONOLULU (Reuters) -The injuring of Filipino crew and damage to Philippine vessels in the South China Sea is "irresponsible behaviour and disregards international law", U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a joint press conference on Thursday. Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told the press conference the job was to ensure that through building capacity and deterrence there were no situations where a Mutual Defense Treaty would be triggered. "We need to assert our rights but in a manner that safeguards the safety of each and every member of the Philippines' armed force," he said.