Nearly seven decades after the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippine government, the defense department will seek to review the Aug. 30, 1951 accord to solicit Washington’s position with regards the dispute in the South China Sea. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the planned review of the MDT will seek Washington’s specific stand as to whether the Philippines can count on US support in the event hostilities break out following China’s occupation of the islets and reefs in the West Philippine Sea. Lorenzana said that the islets and shoals in the WPS should be covered by the treaty, which obligates the US to militarily respond to the aid of the country once it is attacked by other states.

Tuyay, F. (2018, December 21). DND seeks to review treaty between US, PH. Manila Standard, p. A3.