South China Sea latest: the US could be dragged into a dispute in the region (Image: GETTY)
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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