MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) said there is a need for a review of the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States due to some “ambiguities.”
Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in an interview that the review on the treaty is a must despite Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s statement that such was not necessary.
According to Lorenzana, there were ambiguities in the wordings of the 68-year-old treaty, particularly the provision stating that it would be activated upon an “attack” on Philippine forces, vessels, aircraft or controlled areas.
“Sinasabi kasi sa MDT no attack, sa West Philippine Sea ‘di naman tayo inatake e, kumuha lang sila ng island e, ano ‘yun? Saan ‘yun? Where will that fall under? So those are the ambiguities,” Lorenzana said.
He added: “Hindi shooting war, kundi kinakamkam ‘yung lupa mo, nasaan ‘yun? Where will it fall under? ‘Yun ang ambiguous sa‘kin e.”
The Defense secretary also said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s declaration that the South China Sea is covered by the MDT is not new and should not be the basis for calling off the review.
“The ambiguity lies in whether or not the US would act immediately under the MDT in case of an attack on the Philippines or would still seek congressional approval for it,” he said.
Lorenzana added that the DND is already reviewing the MDT and is preparing key points before sitting down with US counterparts when US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Joe Felter visits the country later this month./PN
