Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 18)— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not keen on invoking the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States despite the recent laser-pointing incident involving China in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to reporters at the Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming in Baguio City on Saturday, Marcos expressed concern that such a move would only escalate tensions in the disputed waterway.
“If we activate that, what we are doing is intensifying the tensions in the area,” he pointed out. “And I think that would be counter-productive.”
“Despite the fact that it was a military grade laser that was pointed at our Coast Guard, I do not think that it is sufficient for it to trigger the [treaty],” the President added.
Signed in 1951, the MDT states that both the US and the Philippines would assist each other when either of them is attacked by a foreign force.
Washington earlier called out Beijing for aiming a military-grade laser at a Philippine vessel near Ayungin Shoal, an act it described as “dangerous” and “provocative.”
The powerhouse nation also stressed that any attack on Philippine forces, including those in the South China Sea, would “invoke US defense commitments” under the MDT.
China, however, had a different narrative of the Feb. 6 incident — claiming that its coast guard only used a hand-held equipment for navigation safety.
Its ambassador Huang Xilian also stressed that there was no intention to hurt anyone.
READ: China vessel not equipped with military-grade laser, had no intention to harm PH crew — envoy
Meanwhile, Marcos said the Philippines will continue to coordinate with its treaty partners “not only with the United States, but also our ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) partners and our partners here in Asia.”
“And that, I think, is the better recourse, rather than to go directly to the [MDT].” he also said.
