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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Not yet time to invoke MDT after water cannon attack — DFA

Not yet time to invoke MDT after water cannon attack — DFA

Published Aug 7, 2023 01:29 pm

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday, August 7, it is not yet time for the Philippines to say if the recent water cannon attack perpetrated by China against Philippine personnel already warrants the invocation of Washington's Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with Manila.

"I think it's a bit early [for it to warrant an MDT]," DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a joint press conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Security Council (NSC).

On Sunday, the US State Department said China threatened the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific after at least 10 Chinese vessels made concerted and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine boats and vessels in the Ayungin Shoal, a part of the Philippine waters.

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Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN

Washington said it is reaffirming its commitment that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces—including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea—would invoke the US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

But technical definitions of various terms are still under talks, according to Daza.

The US Embassy in Manila also has not responded to a media query clarifying about what situations would merit an MDT invocation.

Related Tags

mdt West Philippine Sea
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