The Philippines’ Defence Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, has called for a broader interpretation of the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) with the United States, emphasising the need to adapt to a “dynamic and cunning adversary” following recent confrontations with China in the South China Sea.
The MDT, which binds Manila and Washington, allows for mutual defence in the event of armed attacks on Philippine forces, public vessels, or aircraft within the South China Sea. While the United States has consistently reassured the Philippines of their “ironclad” defence partnership, Teodoro stressed the importance of making the treaty “more dynamic” to counteract potential threats from China.
During a military forum organised by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Teodoro highlighted ongoing discussions between the Philippines and the United States regarding the need for a more flexible interpretation of the treaty.
“The mutual defence treaty should be interpreted dynamically,” Teodoro stated, warning against limiting operational capabilities, which could give adversaries an advantage. “The biggest danger for us is to narrow down … our operational limitations, which is contrary, perhaps, to what a potential aggressor does when it expands.”
Teodoro also urged regional nations to confront China, which he labelled as the “biggest disruptor of peace” in the busy South China Sea. He expressed confidence that China could be deterred through a unified global stance, saying, “I believe they’re not undeterrable because it’s just a question of getting a worldwide consensus.
The Defence Secretary further emphasised the importance of the Philippines demonstrating its military readiness to protect its sovereignty against China’s advances. His remarks come after a series of maritime and air confrontations between Manila and Beijing over the past week, as China continues to assert its claims over the disputed waters, while the Philippines persist in resupply missions to its occupied territories.
On the same day, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command commander Samuel Paparo acknowledged that U.S. escorts for Philippine vessels on these resupply missions were “an entirely reasonable option.” However, he noted that any such action would require consultations between the two countries.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, a claim that overlaps with those of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling in favour of the Philippines, which found Beijing’s claims had no basis under international law, China has continued to deploy a large fleet of vessels to enforce its position, rejecting the tribunal’s decision.
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