Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has stated that the recent collision in the South China Sea involving a Philippine fishing boat and a Chinese vessel is not a sufficient reason to invoke the defense treaty with the United States.
The incident occurred near Reed Bank, an area claimed by both the Philippines and China. The Philippine fishing boat sank after colliding with the Chinese vessel, leaving 22 Filipino fishermen in distress. Fortunately, they were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat in the vicinity.
President Duterte emphasized that while the collision was a cause for concern, it did not warrant invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States. The treaty, signed in 1951, obligates both countries to come to each other's aid in case of an armed attack.
China has claimed that the collision was accidental and has offered assistance in the investigation. The Chinese Embassy in Manila stated that they are willing to provide help to the Filipino fishermen affected by the incident.
President Duterte's decision not to invoke the defense treaty with the U.S. comes amidst ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where multiple countries have overlapping territorial claims. The Philippines has been pursuing closer ties with China under Duterte's administration, despite historical disputes over maritime boundaries.
The Philippine government has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the collision and ensure that the rights of the Filipino fishermen are protected. The incident has sparked discussions about maritime safety and the need for diplomatic resolutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
