Second, more clearly than before, the Philippines have turned to the u.s for security reassurance in dealing with a bigger neighbouring country like china. The u.s.- Philippine alliance relationship was considered as the basis of Aquino lll’s governmant , since Aguino lll took office the u.s. has provided economic and military assistance to the philippines , openly expressing its plan to improve the philippines’ capability in protecting sovereignty over the islands by providing the philippines with new military equipment and strengthening bilateral military cooperation . in February 2011, Rosario stated that the u.s. was the only strategic partner of the Philippines. In march,than u.s. secretary state Clinton exchanged views over the phone with her Filipino counterpart Rosario. Both emphasized the need to ensure maritime security in the asia pacific and agreed that a way forward was the conclusion of binding regional code of conduct in the south china sea. Also in june,the Philippines and u.s. carried out one bilateral and one multilateral military exercise in or near the south china sea area. During the Scarborough reef incident, the Philippine Departmant of foreign affairs posted a message on its official website sating that Clinton had firmly reiterated that the u.s. would honour its treaty obligations under its mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines and urged claimant countries to clarify and settle their claims legally in accordance with international law including the UNCLOS. At the ASEAN-u.s. ministerial meeting held on 11 july 2012, Clinton echoed the Philippine position in promoting one common ASEAN voice by saying,’’(W)hat might be a echoed today for some of ASEAN’smembers,if left unaddressed by all of ASEAN,could lead tomorrow to issues that may become prolems for (the rest of) other ASEAN members.’’ This was interpreted in reference to the tensions in the south china sea.Second, more clearly than before, the Philippines have turned to the u.s for security reassurance in dealing with a bigger neighbouring country like china. The u.s.- Philippine alliance relationship was considered as the basis of Aquino lll’s governmant, since aguino lll took office the u.s. ha provided economic and military assistance to the philippines , openly expressing its plan to improve the philippines’capability in protecting sovereignty over the islands by providing the philippines with new military equipment and strengthening bilateral military cooperation . in February 2011, Rosario stated that the u.s. was the only strategic partner of the Philippines. In march,than u.s. secretary state Clinton exchanged views over the phone with her Filipino counterpart Rosario. Both emphasized the need to ensure maritime security in the asia pacific and agreed that a way forward was the conclusion of binding regional code of conduct in the south china sea. Also in june,the Philippines and u.s. carried out one bilateral and one multilateral military exercise in or near the south china sea area. During the Scarborough reef incident, the Philippine Departmant of foreign affairs posted a message on its official website sating that Clinton had firmly reiterated that the u.s. would honour its treaty obligations under its mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines and urged claimant countries to clarify and settle their claims legally in accordance with international law including the UNCLOS. At the ASEAN-u.s. ministerial meeting held on 11 july 2012, Clinton echoed the Philippine position in promoting one common ASEAN voice by saying,’’(W)hat might be a echoed today for some of ASEAN’smembers,if left unaddressed by all of ASEAN,could lead tomorrow to issues that may become prolems for (the rest of) other ASEAN members.’’ This was interpreted in reference to the tensions in the south china sea.