Marcos: Philippines to invoke MDT if Pinoy killed in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the US if a sailor or a member of its military is killed in an attack in the West Philippine Sea, President Marcos said yesterday.

Marcos made the remark when asked at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on when the MDT could be invoked amid China’s continued aggressive acts in the WPS.

“I think (US Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin explained it very well. If any servicemen, Filipino service man, is killed by an attack from any foreign power, then that is time to invoke the MDT,” Marcos said.

“As long as they have actually caused casualties, and it has killed the serviceman... whatever their designation are, whether they’re merchant marine or Coast Guard or actual...navy vessels, it does not matter,” he added.

Marcos held trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington last week.

The US has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines under the MDT.

Under the MDT signed in August 1951, Manila and Washington committed to defend each other in the event of an armed attack by a foreign country.