Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spoke by phone today.

The officials discussed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine defense ties following the productive U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in July.

Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines following recent dangerous and escalatory actions by the People's Republic of China against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. Both officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate — safely and responsibly — wherever international law allows.