(Were on our own ) WAG UMASA GEGYERAHIN NG KANO ANG CHINA SA SOUTH CHINA SEA.... hindi mangyayari yon ..mag-isa na naman tayo ! grrrrrrrrrrrrrr The fact is, even if China attacks Recto Avenue along with Recto Bank, as President Benigno Aquino 3rd once said, the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States merely stipulates that the US “would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.” That includes getting Congress’ nod for military action. Under the US Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, without congressional approval, the Commander-in-Chief may order military action only in “a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.” None of the disputed islets, shoals and waters in the South China Sea are American territories or possessions covered by the above exception. So even if China takes over Ayungin, Panatag, or Pag-asa Island, President Barack Obama would need the okay of his Congress to commit forces in defense of Philippine territorial claims. Are the Spratlys in the Pacific? There’s more. The treaty spells out the areas of conflict covered by the MDT: “… an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.” Big question: If the island attack is not in the Pacific, is Uncle Sam obliged to fight? Unless maps are mistaken, Philippine-claimed islands, shoals and waters, including Pag-asa, are in the South China Sea, not the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps that explains why the US has done nothing but talk when China took over Recto Bank and Panatag Shoal, and now threatens Ayungin. So unless the South China Sea is considered by the MDT as the westernmost extension of the Pacific, if the PLA targets Philippine troops and vessels in the Spratlys, the treaty won’t apply. We’re on our own.: manilatimes.net/big-holes-in-the.../84117/
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 23:40:29 +0000
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