Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, that the government is not considering invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States in response to the recent incident at Ayungin Shoal.
The statement comes after four Filipino personnel sustained minor injuries during an encounter with the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines has demanded that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal immediately.
President Marcos emphasized that the situation, while concerning, does not meet the threshold for invoking the MDT, which is a defensive treaty requiring both parties to assist each other in case of an armed attack. He stressed the importance of pursuing diplomatic channels to resolve the issue.
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