DND chief backs broadening of ‘armed attack’ definition in PH-US defense pact

Metro Manila, Philippines — The interpretation of what defines an “armed attack” under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of the Philippines and the United States should adapt to changing times and evolving threats, Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Teodoro said during the annual military conference of the United States Indo-Pacific Command on Tuesday that the MDT should be interpreted in the face of changing security concerns in the South China Sea.

“We have to tailor our operations to include MDT to meet this dynamism,” said Teodoro.

Teodoro said negotiations are going on in reviewing parts of the defense treaty.

“It should apply because we are getting narrowed down by the wooden definition of armed attack on public vessels, etc., and the public gets fixated on that. So, I think, we should broaden the scope of the MDT to face a dynamic adversary,” the defense chief added.

“Is a cyberattack as bad as an armed attack? I think it is. Why do we fixate on attack? Why don’t we concentrate on deterrence on the MDT?" Teodoro said.

The 1951 MDT took effect just a few years after the country’s liberation from Japanese occupation and amid rebuilding from the ruins of World War 2. Coming from a global armed conflict, it states that the treaty can be invoked on any armed attacks against either country's armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels—including those of their coast guards—anywhere in the South China Sea.

“Not to broaden the scope of MDT, but to broaden interpretations to make it more dynamic and not to fall into China’s trap,” Teodoro explained.

The DND chief did not expound on the changes he wanted to see in the interpretation of the longstanding deal. He also said that he cannot unilaterally change the definition of an “armed attack.”

The Philippine Coast Guard recently condemned the aggressive behaviors of 40 Chinese maritime vessels, which blocked two Philippine ships en route to Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday. The WPS is a name to describe the country’s exclusive economic zone under international law.

The fresh incident took place just a day after a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel was rammed by the China Coast Guard.

Beijing maintains that its coast guard actions in the West Philippine Sea are “restrained and professional” and accused the Philippines of intruding into its territory.