Duterte willing to invoke MDT

IF push comes to shove, President Rodrigo Duterte would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the US and the Philippines should its long-time ally declare war on China in a bid to stop Beijing’s intrusion in the West Philippine (South China) Sea.

“I promise. ‘Pag ka sabi ng Amerika (If America said), let’s go. I’m telling China now, this moment, if America would go to war, I will join America, provided you give me the arms. The Seventh Fleet should be there,” President Duterte said.