President Ferdinand Marcos declared on Monday that any attack on Filipino soldiers by a foreign power would activate the mutual defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
Quoting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Marcos asserted that the treaty would be triggered if a Filipino serviceman was killed due to aggression from another foreign entity.
This announcement follows ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, with the US and Japan pledging substantial investments to bolster the Philippines’ economic resilience against China’s encroachments.
Despite diplomatic protests, China persists in its incursions into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, prompting Marcos to reiterate his commitment to defending Philippine territory.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 16, 2024
