US reaffirms MDT covers PH Coast Guard in South China Sea

The United States has reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines covers armed attacks on the Philippine Coast Guard in the South China Sea.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US stands with its ally following China's provocative actions during a Philippine maritime operation on March 5.

Miller explicitly mentioned that Article IV of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of its Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.

However, when asked what would constitute an armed attack, Miller was not able to give specific answers.

This affirmation comes in response to an incident on March 5 where the China Coast Guard collided with two Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra madre in the West Philippine Sea.