By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/ PNA
MANILA— Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday said the call to review the Philippine-United States Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) needs “further thought” as he cited the repeated assurances made by Washington to Manila.
“Some seek a review of the MDT. This requires further thought. In vagueness lies uncertainty: a deterrent. Specificity invites evasion and actions outside the MDT framework,” Locsin said during a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in Pasay City.
Locsin cited the repeated assurances US that it is ready to respond in the event of an act of aggression against the Philippines.
“I don’t believe that going down into the details is the way the sincerity of the American commitment will be shown. They will respond, depending on the circumstances. But we are very assured, we are very confident that United States has, in the words of Secretary Pompeo and in the words of President Trump to our President, ‘We have your back,’” he said.
In the joint press briefing, Pompeo categorically said the disputed South China Sea is also covered in the 67-year-old defense pact.
The briefing came following a “productive meeting with frank exchanges” between Pompeo and Locsin on the future the two nations’ alliance.
During the bilateral talks, the two officials also discussed the US support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Program as well as the government’s campaign against all forms of criminality especially terrorism and its connection with illegal drugs trade.
“Ideally mutual defense should cover a partner’s back as well as its front. Secretary Pompeo and I agreed that it was in both our countries’ interest to ensure that the alliance effectively address other non-traditional security issues such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; and, above all, the fight against human trafficking,” Locsin said.
