Palace on China’s aggression in Ayungin Shoal: No MDT discussions

This screengrab taken from a handout video filmed on June 17, 2024 and released by Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office (AFP-PAO) on June 19 shows Chinese coast guard personnel (L,R) aboard their inflatable boats blocking Philippine navy boats (C) during a confrontation at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19, the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. China defended its actions, with its foreign ministry saying that “no direct measures” were taken against Filipino personnel. ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES-PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Palace officials have thumbed down notions of invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States following China’s recent aggression at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas), which resulted in an injury of naval personnel.

In a surprise media briefing on Friday, Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns. Ret. Gen. Andres Centino said they have yet to discuss the possibility of invoking the MDT.

“That has not been — your question about the invocation of the Mutual Defense Treaty, that has not been considered in our discussions,” said Centino.

READ: 8 PH Navy men injured; one had finger cut off

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also said that they have not considered elevating the matter to a higher international body.

“That’s not yet into consideration because I think this is a matter that can easily be resolved very soon by us, and if China wants to work with us, we can. We’ll work with China,” said Bersamin.

READ: West Philippine Sea: Rescue of injured personnel took 12 hours

Bersamin said that reaching out to China is always a possible solution to resolve the matter.

The most recent confrontation in the West Philippine Sea is a clear escalation of the tensions between Beijing and Manila over China’s maritime expansion, with a Filipino crewmen losing their thumb.

Chinese Coast Guard personnel attacked Philippine Navy crewmen with sharpened weapons, forcing the latter to fight with their bare hands.