Philippines uncertain about siding with the US in case of fighting against North Korea

The Philippine government said on Tuesday it is uncertain which side to take in case of a military clash between North Korea and the United States and its allies, despite a mutual defence agreement between Manila and Washington.

Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque expressed this uncertainty in the government’s policy direction amid the continued heightened tensions between Pyongyang and Washington.

“As of now, we’re not prepared to say which side we will be on other than we want the side of, we want the (United Nations) charter followed, we want all parties to refrain from the use of force, we want all parties to utilise peaceful means in resolving this dispute,” Roque said in a forum in Manila.

His pronouncement offers a crucial insight into the Philippines’ policy in the event of an attack from Pyongyang on territories of its treaty ally, the United States.

The Mutual Defence Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, which was signed on August 30, 1951, says each would defend the other in case of an attack by an external force.