US more likely than the Philippines to end up in ‘shooting war’ in South China Sea, says defence chief Delfin Lorenzana
- The Philippines is looking to review its defence treaty with the US to clarify the actions needed to be taken in the event of a conflict in disputed regions
- The defence chief says US activity in the South China Sea may lead the Philippines to be ‘involved in a war that we do not seek and do not want’ under current treaty obligations
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the treaty needed to be re-examined to clear ambiguities that could cause chaos and confusion during a crisis.
He cited the aggressive seizure of a Philippine-claimed reef by China in the mid-1990s, saying “the US did not stop it”.
Lorenzana said US forces, which have stepped up so-called freedom of navigation patrols in the strategic waterway, would more likely end up getting involved in an armed conflict than the Philippines, which he foresees would not engage any country in a war in the contested territories.
“The United States, with the increased and frequent passage of its naval vessels in the West Philippine Sea, is more likely to be involved in a shooting war,” Lorenzana said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the South China Sea.