Gov’t Considers Review Of Phl-US Defense Pact

Top officials of the government’s security and foreign relations cluster were set to meet for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 23, to review the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos said she would lead the newly formed study group that would look into how the 71-year-old military alliance agreement can be modified or reworded to conform with the changing times.

“I have a directive from the President (Marcos) to constitute a study group. The NSA will lead it along with personnel from DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and DND (Department of National Defense),” she told “The Chiefs” over One News on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Carlos bared the national government’s efforts to review the MDT following the latest incident involving Philippine Navy and China Coast Guard personnel in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, Nov. 20.

Based on the treaty, the US has been repeatedly reaffirming its “ironclad” commitment to defend the Philippines against any armed attack by a foreign country.

Carlos, however, notes that the Philippines was very different in 1951 when it was the second most devastated country after Poland following World War 2.

In 2022, she said the country now has a growing economy despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a different Philippines and we are negotiating cognizant of our supreme national interest,” she stressed, adding that the study team intends to complete its task before the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) ends next year.

Asked if American counterparts will participate in the review, Carlos said the study group should firm up the country’s position first, submit a result to the President and then talk to the US.

“There should be an understanding about what should be amended in the MDT,” she said, adding that the EDCA and the Visiting Forces Agreement are all based on the treaty.

Carlos said the geopolitical environment has really changed and the Philippines should decide whether to continue the treaty as a defense ally of the US.

Asked if abrogation of the MDT is also an option, she said this depends on President Marcos who will have to do a lot of consultations.

‘US weapons in Phl send strong message to China’

Former Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio said on Tuesday the EDCA should be completed since it is important for the country’s defense, a deterrence and sends a strong message to China that the Philippines has the capability to defend the islands in the Spratlys.

“We don’t have to go to war. If you can convince the other side that you can defend your position, they will not go to war but if you don’t have the capability to defend your position they will invade you and there’s nothing you can do,” Carpio said.

The partnership between the Philippines and the US is Manila’s “only defense” against China, according to Carpio.

He noted that under the EDCA, the US would preposition its weapons and military equipment in Philippine military bases, particularly in Palawan.

The Philippines has given assurance that it would continue to “evolve” its friendship with the US.

“The partnership is important because it’s our only defense against Chinese incursion, encroachment of our exclusive economic zone,” Carpio said in an interview with ANC’s “Headstart.”

“So think for just a moment if today, the US will withdraw from the South China Sea, will not conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, then China will just take over the South China Sea and we will lose our exclusive economic zone,” he added.

Only the US Navy and its allies are preventing China from taking over the South China Sea, according to the former magistrate.

He pointed out that without the US Navy conducting freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, “we would have folded up a long time ago.”

He underscored the importance for the Philippines and the national interest of the US that continuous freedom of navigation operations is an enforcement of the international law and enforcement of the arbitral award.

“Every time the US Navy and its allies sail in the South China Sea in our exclusive economic zone, there’s freedom of navigation. They are telling the world and China that this is an exclusive economic zone of a coastal state, that we can do this because this is an exclusive economic zone and that it favors us because we are too timid to protect our EEZ,” Carpio said.

“The US is doing that for us and we should, of course, be grateful and, if possible, if we can do it we should join,” he added.

Last Tuesday, US Vice President Kamala Harris flew to Palawan island, the Philippine province on the frontier of disputed waters in the South China Sea.

In her speech on board Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua in Palawan, Harris said the 2016 ruling of an international arbitral court invalidating China’s massive claim in the South China Sea is “legally binding and must be respected.”

Carpio said Harris’ visit to the Philippines is important “in the sense that we are now implementing the (EDCA).”

Stands by Navy account

Carlos is standing by the military’s account of how China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel forcefully took rocket debris that was being retrieved by the Philippine Navy from waters near Pag-asa Island on Sunday.

“They have no reason to lie, lalo na’t alam nila tutukuran ko ‘yung report nila para mag-memo sa President,” she told The Chiefs, noting that she is preparing a memo to Marcos on the incident.

She said the narrative of the military’s Western Command (WESCOM) came first and is more believable.

Carlos, who also chairs the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, said the issue is being handled “with some difficulty,” considering how China is denying the incident and claiming that CCG personnel recovered the rocket debris from Philippine Navy personnel after a friendly consultation.

The story runs counter to the WESCOM account that Chinese coast guards blocked the Navy ship’s path and forcefully removed the metal object being towed to shore by cutting the line it was attached to.

“Of course I will believe the Western Command report because that’s what I received this morning… I also know the people there as opposed to the alternative narrative,” Carlos said.

She stressed that the Philippines cannot just stay quiet after the incident, which is why she has recommended the filing of a note verbale or diplomatic protest.

Carlos said it is also important to consider that Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping had just recently talked to each other, yet the Chinese leader’s statements do not appear to reflect the actions of the CCG in the West Philippine Sea.

“That’s why it’s called trying to beat each other’s narrative, but ours came first and if they contradict it, the first account is more powerful,” Carlos said in Filipino, emphasizing that she herself experienced how China has been issuing radio challenges in the disputed area.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense has assured residents of Pag-asa Island of their safety amid the latest incidents involving the Philippine Navy and CCG.

Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. said Philippine authorities are investigating the reported explosions near the island after the incident involving the floating debris.

“The situation is still developing; thus, we cannot provide additional details at this time,” he said in a statement issued late Tuesday.

“Our Armed Forces, together with relevant government agencies, are working to ensure the safety of our Filipino community in Pag-asa and surrounding areas,” Faustino, DND officer-in-charge, said. “We are reviewing all reports to determine our future actions.”

He declared that the DND is awaiting additional reports on the two consecutive incidents near Pag-asa on Sunday as it “stand(s) by the accounts of our personnel in the area that, contrary to the narrative of the Chinese side, the debris being towed by a Philippine vessel to Naval Station Emilio Liwanag for inspection was rudely taken by personnel from CCGV5203.”

“Events such as these are exactly why we continue to advocate for open lines of communication and dialogue mechanisms,” Faustino said.

“We support the diplomatic efforts of Philippine government agencies to engage our Chinese counterparts to address the incident,” he added.

30 Chinese vessels

At least 30 Chinese vessels are anchored at one of the sandbars near Pag-asa Island, acting Kalayaan Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan said on Wednesday in Palawan.

Alindogan said the vessels were spotted at Pag-asa Cay 1 sandbar, around three to four nautical miles away from the island.

He said in an interview with Teleradyo that the ships were not surrounding the island but were anchored near a sandbar.

There are four sandbars and two coral reefs in Pag-asa Island.

Alindogan did not give details if they have seen other activities of the vessels’ crew.

The situation in Pag-asa, home to about 30 families, has returned to normal, following the alleged explosions near the island, the local official said. He said the blasts were at a distance but residents felt the vibrations.

Harris: Visit shows US commitment to Phl

Harris said her visit to the Philippines has been a “good trip” that demonstrated US commitment to its ally, and spoke about the importance of recognizing where Palawan exists in the “context of the South China Sea.”

Harris flew to Palawan island, the Philippine province on the frontier of disputed waters in the South China Sea, on Tuesday.

“It has been important for us, as the United States, to demonstrate our commitment to the Philippines as a whole, but understanding also the nuances and complexities that the people of the Philippines face when it comes to not only what we need to do to ensure security and prosperity for the region, but also what we must do to address the climate crisis, be smart about that, highlight examples and models of how we can empower communities and also speak about the importance of recognizing where this island, in particular, exists in the context of the South China Sea,” Harris told reporters.

“So, it has been a good trip for that reason,” she added.

The Vice President said it was important to be in Palawan where generations of families and individuals have invested in fisheries.

“They have demonstrated an incredible strength in terms of building community, building coalitions around the industries that are dependent on these fisheries to stand up and speak out about sustainable fishing and about the importance of speaking up against illegal activities as it relates to maritime law,” Harris said.

Harris also announced the launch of $7.5 million in additional assistance for Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies.

Her office said the visit was a demonstration of US commitment to stand with its longtime ally in upholding rules-based international maritime order in the South China Sea and counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Strong support

For Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr., the visit of US Vice President Harris “signals strong international support” for the Philippines.

“The visit of Vice President Harris should send a strong signal to countries that do not respect territorial boundaries and continue to bully us in our own seas,” he said in a statement.

Bordado also commended President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte for pushing for the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and the US.

Harris is the highest ranking US official to have visited the Philippines since the visit of former president Donald Trump in 2017.

The statement showed that high-level visits are often used by the US to show commitment to economic, diplomatic and military cooperation with allies around the world. – With Pia Lee Brago, Sheila Crisostomo, Emmanuel Tupas