Yet to trigger MDT - FMJ
By Nidz
"United States reaffirms Article IV of 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft , including those of its Coast Guard anywhere in South China Sea," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller is expressing "great alarm" over latest incident involving Filipino and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not see it as trigger for Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between Philippines and United States.
US reaffirmed its commitment to defend Philippines under MDT, following China's recent aggression in WPS.
In Melbourne for ASEAN-Australia special summit, however, Marcos said in video statement, in response to media query: "I do not think that it is time or reason to invoke Mutual Defense Treaty. However, we continue to view with great alarm this continuing dangerous maneuvers and dangerous actions that are being done against our seamen, our Coast Guard."
Four Filipino crew members on resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in WPS were injured when water cannon blasts from China Coast Guard shattered windshield of their boat. Coast guard vessels of two countries also collided.
In statement, Miller said, "United States stands with our ally Philippines following People's Republic of China (PRC)'s provocative actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in South China Sea on March 5."
At press conference, State Department spokesman said China's latest actions "demonstrate once again reckless disregard… for safety of Filipinos and also for international law."
He continued, "by impeding safe operation of Philippine vessels carrying provisions to Filipino service members stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, PRC interfered in lawful Philippine maritime operations and in Philippine vessels' exercise of high-speed of high-seas freedom of navigation."
Miller reiterated US will stand with Philippines "in face of these dangerous and unlawful actions," but the official had no categorical answer when asked if recent incident could trigger US's MDT with Philippines."I'm not going to speculate or get out ahead of any discussions… in this regard," he said.
US said MDT, signed in 1951, "remains bedrock of our cooperation."
When asked during joint press briefing of National Task Force-WPS about US reaffirming that MDT extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft including those of its Coast Guard anywhere in South China Sea, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said: "Suffice it to say, there is continuing and ongoing discussion and consultation between US and Philippines on number of areas of cooperation, including defense cooperation."
Daza cited "repeated narratives" and "broken promises," but Philippines "has not entered into any agreement that will abandon our sovereign rights and jurisdiction of our EEZ."
"We condemn PRC's repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels' exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and its disruption of supply lines to this longstanding outpost," Miller said.
China's actions, he said, again show disregard for safety and livelihood of Filipinos and international law.
Miller referred to an international tribunal's legally binding decision issued in July 2016 ruled China has no lawful maritime claims to the waters around Ayungin Shoal, and that the shoal is a low tide feature clearly within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"As provided under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and the United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the ruling and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct," he said.
International community condemned China's aggression, unlawful action and harassment in the WPS.
France expressed concern over China's dangerous actions against the Philippine vessels.
"France expresses its concern about today's incidents in the South China Sea," French Ambassador Marie Fontanel posted on X.
"We call for respect for UNCLOS, for freedom of navigation and resolutely oppose any threat or use of force contrary to international law. We remain attached to resolving disputes through dialogue," she said.
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