There is a need to review the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesman Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said on Wednesday.
According to Lopez, the treaty is old and may require updating for the benefit of the parties concerned.
“Sa akin lang, 1951 pa ‘yung Mutual Defense Treaty. And since then, the strategic landscape has changed so much. So, maybe it’s high time now to maybe review,” Lopez said in an interview with the Malacañang Press Corps.
He said the review of the MDT is needed so it can adapt to new security challenges in Philippine waters.
The official made the remarks when asked to comment on the statement of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on the need to expand or change the MDT to allow the US to help the Philippines stop China from its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
However, Lopez refused to discuss further details on the issue as he deferred the matter to the Department of National Defense (DND).
When asked about the Philippine government’s efforts to call on the international community for greater action against China, Lopez said it is part of the diplomatic actions being prepared to engage the Beijing government.
He added that “engaging traditional allies and newfound allies, and rallying these like-minded nations” to the cause of the Philippines is also part of the approach.
“Alam naman natin ano, nobody buys the narrative of China. Nobody buys. And tayo, we have already anchored on UNCLOS and 2016 arbitral ruling. So, that’s our strength,” Lopez said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Philippines won the 2016 arbitral ruling that nullified China’s vast sea claims in the WPS and reaffirmed the maritime entitlements of the Philippines.
Lopez also refused to comment on the development of the diplomatic protest filed by the Philippines against China, as it is a matter of concern for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“We, the members of the council, are basically giving technical information so that the Department of Foreign Affairs can really study ano ba ‘yung violation, ano ba ‘yung the right approach, diplomatic approach,” he said.
Lopez was the guest during Wednesday’s Malacañang Insider forum. PND
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