Monitoring Desk
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said that the Philippines would not invoke a defense pact with the United States (US) after recent Chinese aggression over the disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Earlier in January, a Chinese vessel used a military-grade laser to block a Philippine coast guard ship, temporarily blinding the onboard staff.
The incident prompted the Philippines to summon Chinese envoy and openly accuse China of destabilizing the region and aggressive activities.
The United States (US) also condemned China’s activity as dangerous to regional peace; this week, the Pentagon said it was ready to activate the 1951 bilateral Defense Treaty in case of attacks on its ally. Under the treaty, the US and the Philippines are committed to providing military support to each other if a third party attacks either.
Chinese military aggression in South China Sea
However, the Philippine president said the military-grade laser flareup was not enough to consider invoking the defence treaty.
“If we activated the treaty, what we are doing is intensifying, escalating, the tensions in the area, and I think that would be counterproductive,” Marcos told journalists at the Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming in Baguio City.
“Despite the fact that it was a laser that was pointed at our coast guard, I don’t think that is sufficient (grounds) to trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty.”
Marcos added that the Philippines would continue coordination with its treaty partners — not only the US but also the ASEAN — and “will not lose an inch” of its territory.
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Marcos’ announcement comes amid escalating tension in Southeast Asia, where both the US and China seek military influence.
The laser incident took place a few days after the Philippines granted the US access to its military bases, providing American troops with a strategic footing as tensions grew over the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan.
