mdt | ABS-CBN News

US to China: 'Desist from unsafe conduct' in South China Sea

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Apr 30 05:05 PM

The US on Saturday urged China to 'desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct' as it noted the latest incident between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea. Read more »

Marcos Jr. not keen on invoking MDT after China laser-pointing incident

Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Feb 18 12:37 PM

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Saturday said he will not invoke the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty that allows Washington to aid Manila, after a laser-pointing incident in the West Philippine Sea earlier this month involving China. Read more »

US, China seem to be having 'proxy war' in PH - Carlos

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Feb 15 01:38 PM

Rival superpowers US and China seem to be having "proxy war" in the Philippines, former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said Wednesday. Read more »

PH can invoke MDT on China laser use - Carpio

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Feb 15 06:41 PM

The Philippines can invoke the MDT following China's use of military-grade laser light against a Philippines Coast Guard vessel. Read more »

US VP Harris to meet Marcos in effort to boost ties

Agence France-Presse
Updated as of Nov 21 08:26 AM

US Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday during a visit to the Southeast Asian nation aimed at boosting ties between the longstanding allies. Read more »

Blinken vows to help PH secure maritime domain

Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 06 07:34 PM

During a press briefing in Manila, Blinken warned China that any attack to Filipino assets and armed forces in the South China Sea would trigger their obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty. Read more »

US reaffirms ‘ironclad’ commitment to PH

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 19 04:44 PM

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed his country’s commitment to Philippine security when he met with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the Pentagon Tuesday (Manila time). Read more »

PH ready to offer facilities to US if Russia-Ukraine war 'spills' to Asia

Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Mar 10 03:57 PM

'He says if they are asking for the support of the Philippines, he was very clear if push comes to shove, the Philippines would be ready to be part of the effort especially if this Ukranian crisis spills over to the Asian region.' Read more »

China envoy: Differences normal for 'close neighbors'

Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 26 05:50 PM

The Chinese ambassador to Manila on Friday expressed confidence that the relationship between China and the Philippines could withstand differences Read more »

‘Chinese attack on BRP Sierra Madre will trigger PH-US MDT’

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Nov 25 07:31 PM

An attack by China on the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal will trigger the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty, the country's former top diplomat said. Read more »

US, PH tackle S. China Sea, cooperation in talks

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Nov 17 02:40 PM

The US Department of State said they also discussed with their Filipino counterparts the opportunity to "deepen" economic ties in the areas of science and technology, infrastructure, and fisheries. Read more »

US hands over advanced unmanned aerial system to PH

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Oct 14 05:05 PM

US has turned over to PAF advanced unmanned aerial systems to increase the country's "domain awareness and border security capabilities." Read more »

Isko Moreno vows to seek 'stronger' VFA with US

Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 13 11:48 PM

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said he would push for a stronger VFA with the US if he wins the presidency in the 2022 elections. Read more »

Lorenzana: China opposed review of PH-US defense pact

Karen Lema, Reuters
Updated as of Sep 30 09:50 PM

China has opposed a Philippines-led push for a review of its 70-year-old defense treaty with the United States, Manila's defense chief said. Read more »

US says Mutual Defense Treaty applies to South China Sea

Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 23 03:00 PM

The United States reaffirmed the applicability of the Mutual Defense Treaty to the South China Sea as it reiterated its commitment to assist the Philippines in efforts to modernize its armed forces. Read more »

Lorenzana meets with US Defense Sec. Austin

Mandel Ngan, AFP
Posted at Sep 12 12:07 PM

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippines Secretary of National Defense, Delfin Lorenzana (left) meet in Washington, DC on Friday. Read more »

PH seeks to boost ties with US

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 11 02:30 PM

The Philippines has sought stronger bilateral relations with the United States, with the government underlining the importance of its defense treaties and the need to also boost the country's defense capacity, the DFA said. Read more »

Mutual Defense Treaty needs comprehensive review: DND

David Brunnstrom and Karen Lema, Reuters
Posted at Sep 09 08:40 AM

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday there was a need for a comprehensive review of his country's alliance with the United States. Read more »

PH military 'grateful' for retained VFA with US

Ronron Calunsod, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 24 09:19 PM

The AFP expressed its gratitude for the government's decision to keep the VFA with the US as it hosted a meeting with the US Indo-Pacific Command Read more »

PH can rely on Southeast Asia defense treaty in event of armed aggression: senator

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 20 12:16 PM

A senator on Tuesday said the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty would protect the Philippines and its neighbors from armed and economic aggression by calling to their defense several western nations. Read more »