The Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the US cannot be used to drive away or force Chinese vessels out of the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana clarified yesterday. Lorenzana issued the clarification after a supposed statement by Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez that the Western ally is just waiting for the country to seek its help. “According to Ambassador Romualdez, he was misquoted,” Lorenzana said when asked to comment on the statement stemming from the continuing presence of Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef and other parts of the West Philippine Sea.

Punongbayan, M., Cabrera, R., Lee-Brago, P., Felipe, C. S., & Rivera, D. (2021, April 22). DND: MDT can't force China out of WPS. The Philippine Star, p. 2.