Manila — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called for a broader interpretation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States to effectively address China's assertive maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Philippines News Agency, the traditional understanding of the MDT, which currently defines an armed attack in conventional terms, is insufficient given the evolving nature of threats, particularly China's grey zone tactics. These tactics, which include acts harmful to state sovereignty yet not reaching the threshold of legal acts of war, have been increasingly employed by China in the region. Speaking at the 35th International Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS 24) held at The Manila Hotel, Teodoro emphasized the need to adapt the treaty's scope to better respond to these indirect strategies.

The DND chief highlighted that while the MDT, established in 1951, forms the cornerstone of Philippines-U.S. bilateral cooperation, its current interpretation does not adequately reflect the dynamic security environment in the West Philippine Sea. Recent incidents involving the harassment of Philippine aircraft and ships underscore the urgency of this issue. Teodoro mentioned ongoing discussions aimed not at amending the treaty itself but at expanding its interpretation to ensure it remains effective against the tactics employed by China.

Moreover, Teodoro argued for a broader concept of deterrence under the MDT, suggesting that the focus should not only be on military responses but also on preventive measures that can dissuade potential aggressors. "Why will we fixate on attack? Why don't we concentrate on deterrence on the MDT?" Teodoro posed, advocating for a proactive approach to national defense that moves beyond traditional military engagements.