China laser-pointing not a basis to invoke MDT with US--Recto
The laser-pointing incident in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is not a basis to invoke the mutual defense treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington.
In fact, doing so could be downright ill-advised, according to the assessment of House Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto.
Referring to China, Recto said on Thursday, Feb. 16: "Marami pang harassment na darating. Dapat paghandaan ito (There will be more acts of harassment. We must be prepared for these)."
Recently, a Chinese vessel directed its military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This incident has led to China's rebuke by the international community.
But Recto said “laser harassment” is not basis for “running to Uncle Sam” to invoke the MDT between the Philippines and the US.
“It is a disproportionate response that will escalate things unnecessarily,” he said.
“I put my faith in the President that he has more than enough in his toolkit to respond to Chinese aggression, without need to send an SOS to the Americans,” noted Recto.
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The House leader had praised President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for standing up to China by summing the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines to Malacañang after the laser-pointing incident.
The MDT between the Philippines and the United States (US) was signed in Washington in 1951. The two nations were World War II allies.
The treaty provides that the two countries would support each other if one is attacked by an external party.
The US and China are economic and geopolitical rivals.