MANILA- The United States' assurance of support to the Philippines on its maritime dispute with China is a warning to other nations planning to challenge Manila's sovereignty, analysts said Monday.

"It refers specifically to the South China Sea and in that sense, it sends signals not just to the Philippine government but to a wider public and potential competitor," Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, told ANC's "Headstart."

Washington's top diplomat last week assured Manila that the decades-old mutual defense treaty covers the sea dispute with China.

"Any armed attack on 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 said on Friday.

• US warns PH of China threat in South China Sea

Pompeo's remarks were the first clarification on the treaty's role in the Philippines' sea dispute with China which Manila earlier sought to be reviewed.

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The Philippines and the US are already long-time allies bound by a mutual defense pact, which binds the two countries to aid each other in the event of an attack.

Last year, Manila and Beijing entered into a memorandum of understanding to "arrive at an agreement" on gas in the disputed waters during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Philippines.

The agreement came amid China's rampant militarization and construction efforts on reefs claimed by the Philippines in the waterway.

Security analyst Chester Cabalza meanwhile said the Philippines should use the momentum to improve its own military capabilities.

"This is the best time for us to beef up our own arsenal because China and the US are trying to offer their support to us," he said.

Despite Washington's assurance of support to Manila, both analysts back Malacañang's view that the defense pact with the US should still be reviewed.

"Technically, security threats have evolved and certainly there are some provisions there that need to be reviewed," Cabalza said.

Batongbacal, however, clarified that a review does not necessarily mean a "renegotiation" of the treaty.

"A review still has to take place because the situation on the ground, security threats to the Philippines have evolved and we need to respond naturally with new systems, new means," Batongbacal said.

• Mutual defense treaty still needs to be reviewed despite US assurance: Palace