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Pompeo: Attack vs. PHL in SCS will trigger US defense treaty obligation


US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Friday said the United States would come to the Philippines’ aid if it comes under attack in the disputed South China Sea, as he renewed Washington’s commitment to honor a 68-year-old defense treaty that binds America to defend its Asian ally from aggression.

This is the first time that a US government official from the Trump administration clarified that the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing are locked in years-long territorial row, is covered by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington.

“As the South China Sea is part of the Pacific, any attack on Philippine forces, aircraft, republic vessels, in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defense obligations under article 4 of our MDT,” Pompeo told a joint press conference with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin in Manila.

Article IV of the MT states that: “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

“As an island nation, the Philippines depends on freedom and unrestricted access to the seas. China’s island-building and military activities in the South China Sea threaten your sovereignty, your security and, therefore, economic livelihood as well as that of the United States,” Pompeo said.

China’s actions in the resource-rich South China Sea have worried its smaller neighbors, like the Philippines, due to its massive claim that encroaches on their sovereign territories.  Beijing said its claims over the waters are “indisputable” and anchored on history that is backed by ancient maps and documents.

The Philippines challenged this claim before an international arbitral tribunal, which ruled in Manila’s favor in 2016 and invalidated China’s claim.

Although not a party to the disputes, the US has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of access to the region’s sea lanes and air zones and that disputes are resolved peacefully.

In response to “changing realties” and threats nearly seven decades since the MDT was signed, Manila has sought a review of the accord.

Philippine officials have long wanted to clarify if the US, its long-time treaty ally, will help defend the Philippines in case its forces come under attack in the disputed South China Sea.

Locsin, however, believes a review of the MDT may not be necessary, saying this “requires further thought.”

“But the time being, helping the Philippines build up our self-defense capacity should do,” he said.

Pompeo also did not respond to a question if the US is open to any amendments to the MDT, but merely stressed that Washington’s commitments and obligations under the treaty are “clear.”

“In vagueness lies uncertainty, a deterrent, specificity invites evasion and actions outside the MDT framework,” said Locsin.

Although “too much vagueness lends itself to doubt the firmness of commitments,” Locsin said he “doesn’t believe that going down into the details is the way the sincerity of the American commitment will be shown.”

“They will respond, depending on the circumstances. But we are very assured, we are very confident that United States has in the words of Secretary Pompeo and in the words of President Trump to our President, ‘We have your back,’” Locsin said. —KBK, GMA News

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