National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya says ‘there was no armed attack so there would be no basis to trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty.’
The recent collision of Chinese and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea will not trigger Manila and Washington’s Mutual Defense Treaty , the National Security Council said Tuesday.
“As stated in the MDT, an armed attack on a public vessel of the Philippines will be enough to trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told CNN Philippine’The Philippines and the United States entered into the MDT on Aug. 30, 1951. The treaty states that both countries must come to each other's defense in the event of an external party attack on one or the other.
Last Sunday, China Coast Guard vessel 5203 conducted dangerous maneuvers, causing it to collide with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted indigenous resupply boat Unaiza May 2. Philippine Coast Guard vessel MRRV 4409’s port side was also bumped by Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a briefing on Monday that implementing the MDT following the collision incident over the weekend will need further study.
“The incident that happened is aggressive and dangerous, it is a provocation on the side of China," Daza said."But at this point, whether it will constitute an armed attack that would allow the invoking of Mutual Defense Treaty is something that needs to be studied.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US renews warning it will defend treaty ally PH after Chinese ships rammed Manila vesselsSunStar Publishing Inc.
Read more »
Ernie Gawilan starts 4th Asian Para Games defense of 3 goldsDabawenyo Paralympian swimmer Ernie Gawilan will be defending his three gold medals from the 3rd Asian Para Games at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China on Monday, October 23.
Read more »
Nuggets open title defense vs. revamped, motivated LakersNikola Jokic and the NBA champion Denver Nuggets figure in an early contenders clash with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers to kick off the 2023-2024 season
Read more »
Israel defense minister says Hamas war could last monthsJERUSALEM - Israel's defense minister said Sunday that the war against Hamas could take 'months' but insisted it would be the last against the Gaza militant group.
Read more »
Alcala focuses on swimming improvement ahead of IRONMAN 70.3 title defenseJohn Alcala is determined to transition from being a bewildered winner to a top contender, focusing on strengthening his weakest area in defense of the crown in the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa on November 12.
Read more »