Speaking in Manila after meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Pompeo said Beijing's artificial islands in waters also claimed by the Southeast Asian nation and other neighbours was a threat.
"China's island-building and military activities in the South China Sea threaten your sovereignty, security and therefore economic livelihood, as well as that of the United States," he said at a joint news conference with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin.
"As the South China Sea is part of the Pacific, any armed attack of Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defence obligations under Article 4 of our Mutual Defence Treaty."
https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/03/01/us-vows-philippines-aid-if-attacked-in-china-claimed-sea.html
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/China-has-island-building-down-to-a-science
It’s a tactic not seen since the dying days of
World War II: desperate soldiers, sailors and pilots flinging themselves
at their enemies in suicide attacks.
But
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned of the return of the
‘kamikaze’ — or ‘divine wind’ — tactics of the Japanese.Describing his dilemma in dealing with an immensely more powerful China in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the president said he has few options other than to order troops to “prepare for suicide missions”.
https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/philippines-president-duterte-warns-china-of-suicide-attacks-if-it-invades-island/news-story/cdc41c922a1ff9e079e7f5fea7e142a3