Manila: US compelled to defend Philippines if China attacks

The department of foreign affairs of the Phillipines,  has argued that the US is compelled to come to its defence, in the event of an attack by a third country. The Filipino foreign secretary, Albert del Rosario said: "Article V of the Mutual Defence Treaty further provides that an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on: the metropolitan territory of either of the parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, and, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific." The Philippines had long held the perception that country can always fall back on its long alliance with the US under the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) in the event of an attack from another country. But this relationship is being put to the test as Manila comes closest to an actual armed confrontation with China. Last April, the navy accosted four Chinese fishing vessels that entered a sea territory that the Philippines claims as its own. The disputed area, Scarborough Shoal , is just 120 nautical miles from Zambales province in the Philippines, but is being claimed by China. The nearest Chinese landmass is 1,200km northwest of the shoal. Several Filipino politicians, such as Senator Francis Escudero, have said that the 1951 MDT's provisions, are vague on the issue of the US defending the country in the event of an attack. However, Del Rosario believes otherwise, saying: "Secretary Clinton was asked by a correspondent from ABS-CBN this question: "What will America do if China attacks Filipino forces in the Spratly Islands? Clinton's reply was: "Well, as to your first question, the United States honours our Mutual Defence Treaty and our strategic alliance with the Philippines. I'm not going to discuss hypothetical events, but I want to underscore our commitment to the defence of the Philippines."