Locsin says there’s no need to change US defense treaty
THE COUNTRY’S top diplomat yesterday opposed a proposal to change a treaty that forces the United States to defend the Philippines against external attacks.
“I am opposed to change in the Mutual Defense Treaty except possibly including cyber-attacks as a trigger,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a social media post.
Mr. Locsin said the US is a strategic ally. “Why the US is the perfect solitary military ally of the Philippines: Too far to meddle in our internal affairs and be intimidated by China or Russia,” he said in a separate post.
He also cited the US’ “long and strong enough reach to deliver deadly punches or devastating blows in our mutual defense per our treaty.”
Mr. Locsin’s comments come amid concerns that China, being a partial owner of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, can access and control the country’s power distribution system. The State Grid Corporation of China has a 40% stake in the Philippine power distributor.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier warned the Chinese government that disabling the country’s power grid would spark a “quarrel.”
Early this year, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said there’s a need to review the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US to avoid confusion.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel has filed a resolution seeking to look at the implications of China’s ownership and control of the National Grid.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week called these concerns “groundless,” saying China remains the Philippines’ “close and friendly neighbor.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan
