A spokesman for Mr Duterte said on Monday his nation could invoke its Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) with the US. Carrying out this action would embroil the US in the ongoing row with China over the sunken Philippine vessel in the Recto Bank. The spokesman said the Philippines would invoke the MDT “if it is the right thing to do”.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after US Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Sung said foreign government-sanctioned attacks initiated by militia or armed civilians in the South China Sea may trigger the MDT of the US and the Philippines, the Manila Bulletin reports.
He said: “US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear that because the South China Sea is part of the Pacific, under the treaty itself, any armed attack on Filipino vessels, Filipino aircraft will trigger our obligations under the Mutual Defence Treaty.”
If the Philippines confirm the ship sinking, which happened in its territory near the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, was indeed a deliberate attack Washington could be bound under the treaty to issue a military response.
An alternative option would be to present the case before the United Nations.
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Responding to a question asking if Manila would consider invoking the treaty to respond to China’s aggression Mr Duterte’s spokesman said: “If that is what is stated in the treaty, then we will follow that–if that is the agreement.
“Whatever the agreement tells us to do, we will do that.”
During a Monday press call, spokesman Mr Panelo said the Philippines will also honour the agreement.
As reported by the Manila Bulletin, he said: “If that is what is stated in the treaty, then we will follow that – if that is the agreement.
“Whatever that agreement tells us to do, we will do that.”
The official however refused to comment on whether the alleged attack in the Recto Bank did qualify as an event that could trigger the MDT treaty.
He said: “We still don’t know yet.”
President Duterte declined to make an official statement.
But he has previously hinted he would go to war with China if any Philippine citizen comes into any danger in the disputed waters.
The South China Sea dispute sees parts of the region and the islands within claimed by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Many of those who claim the strategic waterway encourage their fishermen to fish within it.
The conflicting territorial claims can result in flare-ups and tensions are often high between the rowing Asian nations.