South China Sea: when should Philippines invoke its US Mutual Defence Treaty?

Rising tensions are forcing Manila to weigh invoking the treaty, but analysts warn it’s ‘not like a light switch that you turn on and off’

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Chinese coastguard ships surround a Philippine patrol vessel near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:00am, 28 Aug 2024

Despite a series of increasingly tense clashes with Beijing in the South China Sea, analysts say the Philippines should resist the urge to invoke its Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) with the United States and instead focus on diplomatic and strategic collaborations.

The latest flashpoint occurred on Monday when Chinese and Philippine coastguard vessels collided near Sabina Shoal, causing damage to two of Manila’s ships, as both sides traded blame for the incident.

In the aftermath, the US State Department issued a statement reminding Beijing “that Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its coastguard – anywhere in the South China Sea”.

It was the latest reiteration by the US that it would honour its obligations under the MDT, which requires that an attack on either country be considered an attack on both. A number of senior US officials, including President Joe Biden, have said in recent months that their commitment to the MDT remains “ironclad”.

Adding to the tension, Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, suggested on Tuesday that US ships could escort Philippine vessels on resupply missions in the South China Sea, calling it an “entirely reasonable option” that would still require consultation between the allies.

The US has previously said it “will do what is necessary” to support Philippines resupply missions.

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South China Sea: when should Philippines invoke its US Mutual Defence Treaty?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Rising tensions are forcing Manila to weigh invoking the treaty, but analysts warn it’s ‘not like a light switch that you turn on and off’

Rising tensions are forcing Manila to weigh invoking the treaty, but analysts warn it’s ‘not like a light switch that you turn on and off’