Obama Shows Solidarity with Philippines amid Tensions

President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to the Philippines, Tuesday, ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

"You can count on the United States," the president said.

This comes in the midst of increasing tension over China's territorial ambitions in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

Five APEC countries including the Philippines are at odds with Beijing over conflicting claims to islands in those resource-rich waters.

The United States showed solidarity with the Philippines by conducting military maneuvers recently near islands where China has reclaimed land and built settlements to shore up its claims.

Obama said the United States will transfer two ships, a research vessel, and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter to the Philippine Navy as part of its "ironclad commitment" to helping fortify the Philippines' maritime security.

"More capable navies, in partnership with the United States, are critical to the security of this region," Obama said.

China sent its top envoy, Wang Yi, to Manila last week to ask Philippine officials not to include the long-simmering disputes in the APEC agenda, paving the way for Yi's attendance at the summit.

But U.S. officials plan to further highlight the territorial disputes during Obama's stop in Manila and later on in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is scheduled to attend the East Asia Summit, an 18-nation bloc that also includes China and U.S. allies Japan and the Philippines.