PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision not to invoke the mutual defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States is the right move for the country, international maritime law expert Professor Jay Batongbacal said on Saturday.
In a news forum, Batongbacal said that while there are certain conditions needed to be met to for any conflict to further escalate, the Philippines is right on its decision to take on a more peaceful and diplomatic avenue to resolve issues within its maritime domain.
“Sa tingin ko, iyon po ‘yung punto noong sinabi nga ng Pangulo na it’s not the right time. Tama naman po ‘no, hindi naman puwede na bawat sugat mo eh tatakbo ka na kay ‘Big Brother’,” Batongbacal said.
Batongbacal noted that it is part of the Philippines’ obligation and responsibility to control situations that it may not escalate to any further tensions or even armed conflict.
“Ang atensiyon po nakatuon doon sa article na iyon, Article 4 ‘no, armed attack. Eh mayroon na pong Article 3 ‘no – eh sa Article 3 po malinaw din doon na for any other situation ‘no, iyon pong dalawang partido ay nag-commit na magtutulungan sa pagsagot sa mga challenges sa kanilang security ‘no. So diyan po papasok iyong magiging response dito sa ganitong klaseng situation,” he said.
“Kaya nga po nagtutulungan ang US at Philippines pagdating doon sa operations sa West Philippine Sea – ang minimum po diyan, kita natin information-sharing at saka monitoring, iyong surveillance, malinaw iyan na nangyayari na,” he pointed out.
The defense treaty does not imply immediate call to arms whenever maritime domain conflict happens, he added.
Batongbacal further explained the treaty is already in effect and is not a dormant agreement awaiting to be activated.
“Iyong Mutual Defense Treaty, hindi po siya kumbaga inactive and then i-activate ‘no – it is already enforced between the parties,” he said.
“Ang problema lang kasi doon, mayroong parang misunderstanding, may misconception na ‘pag sinabi mong ‘triggered the Mutual Defense Treaty,” mag-uumpisa ka ng giyera. Hindi po iyon ‘yung konsepto noon,”he stressed.
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