Rappler's latest stories on Mutual Defense Treaty
Choose U.S. or China? Carpio offers 3rd way
Terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement will make the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement useless, says retired justice Antonio Carpio
With threats to scrap VFA, Duterte gambles Philippines' security
Duterte's latest outburst against the US isolates the country from its oldest ally and sows uncertainty against the threat of any Chinese aggression
EXPLAINER: Visiting Forces Agreement
President Duterte has threatened to scrap the military pact between the Philippines and the United States. Here's what you should know about it.
Senate panel to review VFA, other Philippine defense pacts
'Number 1, ano ang benefits na nakuha ng Pilipinas dito? What is the national interest at stake in these agreements?' says Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on some questions to be taken up at the planned hearing
Malacañang downplays possibility of U.S. terminating other military pacts
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says the Duterte government is not concerned the United States may terminate other military treaties following the Philippines' move to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement
DOJ: Effects of VFA termination on EDCA, Mutual Defense Treaty have to be studied
The justice department is ready with its memorandum on the legal procedures to terminate the 20-year-old VFA
U.S. defense chief favors review of 1951 treaty with Philippines
The nearly 70-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US needs to reflect current security threats, including an increasingly powerful China, say both countries' defense secretaries
U.S. Air Force vows ‘no let up’ in South China Sea patrols
General David Goldfein, US Air Force Chief of Staff, restates the US commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines as China pushes to dominate the Indo-Pacific region
Carpio, Del Rosario refute Duterte on invoking defense pact with U.S.
(UPDATED) 'The [Mutual Defense] Treaty operates only for self-defense, not for aggression against another state,' says Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
Lorenzana-Locsin clash over Mutual Defense Treaty heats up
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana fears 'being involved in a war that we do not seek and do not want' when the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty kicks in
[OPINION] Moving forward with Philippine-U.S. relations
'It was an imperative for our disruptive northern neighbor to be forewarned of the significance of our mutual defense treaty alliance'
In Pompeo visit, Philippines gets timely assurance from oldest ally
The US assurance that Philippine vessels in the South China Sea are protected by the Mutual Defense Treaty sends a 'strong and clear' signal to Beijing
Pompeo raises importance of free press, rights of 'all Filipinos' with Locsin
'We never forget the importance of human rights, rule of law, transparency, justice wherever it is that we go,' says the visiting US official but refrains from publicly citing specific attacks on free speech and human rights in his host country
Locsin: No need to review PH-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty
'In vagueness lies the best deterrence,' says Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr of the 68-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty
South China Sea covered by PH-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty – Pompeo
'Any armed attack on any Philippine forces, aircraft, or public vessels in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defense obligations under Article 4 of our Mutual Defense Treaty,' US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assures Manila
[OPINION] Proposed review of PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty: Opening a Pandora's box
A veritable Pandora’s box of nasty surprises would be opened once the Philippines pushes for renegotiations. Is that what the majority of Filipinos want?
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Lorenzana to review Mutual Defense Treaty: 'Is it still relevant to our security?'
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the objective of the review of the treaty is to either 'maintain it, strengthen it, or scrap it'
Top PH officials meet U.S. Pacific Command chief in Hawaii
The Philippines says the 'deliberate and nuanced diplomacy by the Duterte administration' has 'lowered tensions' in the South China Sea
Creeping ban on media coverage of PH-U.S. Balikatan drills
How will President Rodrigo Duterte's pivot to China change the long-standing alliance between the Philippine and US militaries? It's an important geopolitical issue that impacts the security landscape.
PH-U.S. Balikatan drills open amid concerns over China missiles
(3rd UPDATE) The annual war games between the two treaty allies continue on its second year under President Rodrigo Duterte
Scarborough, Benham Rise general leads US-PH Balikatan 2018
It's the second Balikatan under President Rodrigo Duterte, who at the start of his term threatened to end the military exercises. Ties between the Philippines and US have since improved.
U.S. vows to give PH full control of military facilities
'All EDCA facilities are under complete control of the Philippines. They are all [inside] Philippine bases,' says US Ambassador Sung Kim
How are PH-U.S. ties under Duterte? 'Terrific,' says envoy
'This is really a strong partnership. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship for both countries,' says US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim after turning over 6 ScanEagle reconnaissance drones to the Philippine Air Force
U.S. flexes muscle in the Philippines amid concerns vs China
'We wish to continue working closely with the Philippine military,' says Lieutenant Commander Tim Hawkins, USS Carl Vinson public affairs officer
Trump's top security aide hails global cooperation in Marawi
'We saw with the recent campaign in the Philippines in Mindanao and Marawi how important it is to work together,' says US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster
U.S. increases surveillance support to PH military
The United States deployed the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems UAS to Mindanao the US embassy says in a statement
U.S. to conduct air strikes in Marawi? No need, says Lorenzana
The Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US may not apply according to AFP chief General Eduardo Año
Duterte: No denying it, PH soldiers are pro-U.S.
The President before thanking the United States for aid in Marawi City says he can t ignore the rapport between Filipino and American soldiers
1st PH-US Balikatan exercises under Duterte open
UPDATED The annual activity adjusts to President Rodrigo Duterte s orders: Balikatan 2017 exercises will not focus on external defense or maritime security
Duterte asks US envoy, 'Why didn't you stop China?'
In the same speech the usually antagonistic President says We remain friends with America
U.S. alerts PH after China seized its underwater drone off Subic
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza says the security cluster has yet to discuss how the Philippines will react to the incident between the US and China that happened within its exclusive economic zone
US willing to 'constructively' discuss changes in PH ties
Outgoing US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg says ties between the US and the Philippines are unbreakable
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Duterte: 'Don't prepare for war games next year'
I insist that we realign There will be no more exercises next year says President Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte puts EDCA under review, threatens to cut US ties
Duterte cites 2 groups in Mindanao that will not talk peace with him if the Americans stayed in Mindanao
Yasay denies Duterte wants 'last military exercise' with US
After media insist on what they heard Duterte say Yasay modifies his response and says he did not hear that particular statement from the President
Duterte: Next PH-US military exercises will be last in my term
You US are scheduled to hold war games again which China does not want I will serve notice to you now this will be the last military exercise says President Rodrigo Duterte in Hanoi
What now? AFP modernization in the time of Digong Duterte
While it may take years even decades to catch up with the military capability of our nearest neighbors the impetus has been initiated and is now moving with its own momentum that cannot be halted abruptly
SC upholds PH-US military deal
The SC affirms its January ruling upholding the constitutionality of EDCA saying petitioners failed to raise new arguments in their motions for reconsideration
Duterte to United States: Are you with us or not with us?
The president elect wonders if the US will help the Philippines defend its claim over the West Philippine Sea once an international court decides favorably on the country s case against China
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US affirms 'ironclad' vow to defend Philippines
In talks in Hawaii with Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter reaffirm the strong ties between the two countries and discuss territorial disputes in the contested waters of the South China Sea
US to PH: War games 'sharpening the sword and the bolo' vs bullies
We are honing our lethal military skills to allow us to assist each other as well as other nations should the need arise says Brigadier General CJ Mahoney of the US Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific
US presses need for EDCA as it awaits SC ruling
A visiting US official stresses the importance of the PH US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in ensuring regional peace as the US government awaits the High Court s verdict on the constitutionality of EDCA
US, PH prioritize 'high value' joint exercises amid China row
The Philippines and the US agree to step up joint maritime exercises amid massive Chinese activities in the South China Sea
Foreign militaries, int'l donors pledge post-Ruby response
So far the United States Singapore and UNOCHA have offered help for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations
SolGen: EDCA no guarantee US will aid PH in sea dispute
While the focus of the legal battle has been whether EDCA needs Senate ratification Supreme Court justices have grilled petitioners and Acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay about the benefits of EDCA
Scrap VFA? It's part of PH 'defense strategy'
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement will have an adverse effect on the country s defense posture
