Here’s how PH can invoke Mutual Defense Treaty with US on WPS issue, according to Rodriguez

Flags of the Philippines (left), United States (Unsplash)

A legal luminary in the House of Representatives says its time for the Philippines to run to the United States (US) for help regarding China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Committee on Constitutional Amendments Chairman Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Thursday, Dec. 21 that President Marcos could invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the US.

This, as China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels continue to harass and prevent Philippine vessels in the WPS, particularly during the latter’s resupply missions for Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal.

The CCG’s tactics have included the firing of water cannons and the outright ramming of the smaller resupply boats.

“Mahaba ang pasensiya nating mga Pilipino, pero may hangganan ang ating pasensiya (We Filipinos are very patient, but even this patience has an end),” said Rodriguez.

He cited Article lll of the treaty: “The Parties, through their foreign ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.”

He further quoted Article V, which provides that “an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific”.

“It’s obvious that there has been no ‘armed attack’ yet – an assault that is within the purview of the treaty. But certainly, there is threat to our personnel and fishermen and to our country’s ‘territorial integrity…or security’,” Rodriguez noted.

He added that although the Chinese have not resorted to an “armed attack, they have definitely employed force on our personnel, fishermen and civilian boat crew”.

The ranking solon suggested that President Marcos call for consultations between the Philippines and the US on future scenarios in the WPS.

Rodriguez said the Philippines could ask the US “how, as a defense treaty ally, it could help address this threat and assist us in asserting, protecting and defending our sovereignty, territorial integrity and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea”.

He said China has been evidently calibrating its responses to such assertions.

“Before, we did not see our Coast Guard and BFAR personnel, fishermen and civilian boat crew being water-cannoned or subjected to military-grade laser and loud acoustic blasts, and being blocked in a very aggressive way in their missions and activities.

“Now, we see those tactics being used on our people in a very dangerous manner. What would they do next?” Rodriguez said. — Ellson Quismorio

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