Amidst the escalating maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine military has chosen not to invoke the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States in response to China’s recent water cannon attacks on Philippine vessels. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, clarified that the MDT, a 70-year-old accord binding the U.S. to defend the Philippines, is applicable only in the event of an armed attack, which the recent water cannoning by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel does not constitute.
Despite the non-invasion of the MDT, the incident has stirred diplomatic repercussions. The Philippine government responded by filing a diplomatic protest and summoning the Chinese ambassador. This incident is part of what Gen. Brawner described as “gray zone tactics” by China, involving non-military means to achieve political goals, yet deemed illegal, coercive, and dangerous.
In addition, the situation has drawn international attention, with the United Kingdom condemning China’s “unsafe and escalatory tactics” and urging adherence to the 2016 Arbitral Award proceedings, which are legally binding on both China and the Philippines. China, however, has refuted these allegations, firmly opposing and condemning the UK’s stance.
Meanwhile, General CQ Brown Jr., Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Brawner held discussions on regional security, with an emphasis on enhanced military cooperation between the Philippines and the US. This conversation was their first since Brown’s appointment as chairman, highlighting the ongoing strategic partnership and shared democratic values between the two nations.