US says Mutual Defense Treaty applies to South China Sea

MANILA— The United States has reaffirmed the applicability of the Mutual Defense Treaty to the disputed and resource-rich South China Sea, just as it reiterated its commitment to assist the country in its efforts to modernize the armed forces.

“We absolutely believe and affirm in no uncertain terms that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, aircrafts in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, will trigger US obligations under the MDT and we fully intend to stand by these obligations,” Ford said in a virtual forum hosted by the Pacific Forum marking MDT's 70th anniversary.

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we work alongside the Philippines to make sure that they have the necessary capabilities to defend its own interest and for us, collectively, the alliance has the ability to address the new threats and challenges that you see in the security environment,” Ford noted.

The VFA provides rules for the rotation of thousands of US troops in and out of the Philippines for war drills and exercises. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have agreed to develop a joint vision statement that will contain the two countries’ “shared priorities” for the next phase of cooperation.

dapat primary goal ng mga candidate next election ay gagawin nila lahat para lang MAPAALIS mga pinasok ni Dutae na mga chinese militia sa WPS

dapat wag makalimot sa araw ng Election ang WPS ang pag asa ng bawat Pilipino.baka maputa pa sa CHINA.

Philippines is in need of a new real patriotic President to make that MDT work and to take back what is rightfully owned-WPS and islands, islets or even chunk of rocks within its vicinity.

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