The defense alliance between the Philippines and United States remains strong despite China’s growing influence over Manila, a think tank said on Wednesday ahead of the scheduled exploratory talks over the PHL-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
The Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute, through its president Dindo Manhit, explained the position of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., who recently declared that the vagueness of the MDT is a deterrence against Beijing.
Locsin issued his position during a recent meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who reiterated Washington’s defense and security support to the Philippines through the decades-old treaty.
“The remarks of the foreign affairs secretary imply that the long-standing US-Philippines alliance remains strong despite the apparent growing influence of China in the Philippines, Manhit said.
Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and US Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joe Felter are to meet today (Thursday) to initially discuss the MDT, which the former wanted to be revised or, at least, clarified with its ambiguities.
The scheduled meeting, which will only last for hours, was disclosed by Lorenzana on Tuesday during the turnover by Japanese officials of the donated helicopter spare parts and maintenance equipment to the Philippine Air Force for its Huey combat utility choppers.
“It is only exploratory talks, there is still no talking points there. We only wanted to know what they think about our proposal to open up for discussion what is in the Mutual Defense Treaty,” said Lorenzana.
Contrary to the position of Locsin, Lorenzana believes it is high time that the MDT be amended or clarified since he do not see its ambiguities as a defense against China.
Manhit said that Locsin was confident about the assurance of Pompeo on the MDT, which prompted him to declare that there is no need to review or modify the defense treaty.
Pompeo assured the US is ready to defend the country “in case of armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea,” noting that Beijing’s island-building and military activities in the South China Sea threatens Philippine sovereignty, security, and its economic livelihood, as well as that of the United States.
A recent survey by the Social Weather Station showed that Filipinos believed that the US would defend the country in case of an invasion.
“As our only treaty ally, the US remains invaluable to us, and we need to recognize the significance and importance of this alliance. That said, we also need to recognize that we are required to strengthen our own defense and security capabilities,” former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said.
Manhit said that as countries in Southeast Asia works to stop the spread of terrorism and the threat of radicalization, the US has a unique opportunity to enhance its cooperation in the region, even beyond the issue of maritime security.
“Nevertheless, as different countries have different assessments of their internal threats, the US defense approach may need to be more multifaceted if it wants to use defense engagement as a way to get more states to support its continued presence,” he said.
The Stratbase ADR Institute firmly believed that for the country to promote a rule-based order, it must reach out to its allies and Asean partners to create political and economic structures that best secure the region’s future.
“It behooves the Filipinos to finally be provided this specific assurance which we rightly deserve,” del Rosario said.
“The Philippines should attain maritime security by considering the potential benefits of cooperation among the US, Japan, Australia and India. Such cooperation should also extend beyond the four democratic countries and collaborate with like-minded democracies that adhere to the rule-based order,” Manhit said.