View source for Mutual Defense Treaty (United States–Philippines)

{{Short description|Defense treaty}}
{{Use American English|date = March 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = March 2019}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name                 = Mutual Defense Treaty
| long_name            = Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America
| image                = File:Mutual Defense Treaty US-PHI 1951.png
| image_width          = <!-- 200px -->
| image_alt            = <!-- alt-text here for accessibility; see [[MOS:ACCESS]] -->
| caption              = Map of the Members of the treaty
| type                 = [[Military alliance]]
| context              =
| date_drafted         =
| date_signed          = {{Start date|1951|08|30|mf=y}}
| location_signed      = [[Washington D.C.]], United States
| date_sealed          =
| date_effective       =
| condition_effective  =
| date_expiration      = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} OR: -->
| date_expiry          = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| parties              =
* {{flag|Philippines|1936}}
* {{flag|United States|1912}}
| citations            = <!-- format as XX [[Article on Treaty Series|TS]] YYY -->
| language             = [[English language|English]]
| languages            = <!-- format this as a bullet list -->
| wikisource           = <!-- OR: -->
| wikisource1          = <!-- Up to 5 wikisourceN variables may be specified -->
| footnote             =
}}
The '''Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines''' is an agreement between the two nations recognizing that an attack in the Pacific on either would endanger the peace of both and agreeing to act in concert to meet the common danger. It signed on August 30, 1951 by their representatives in [[Washington, D.C.]] and has eight articles.
==History==
The Philippines became a US territory after the [[Spanish–American War]] and the subsequent [[Philippine–American War]]. In 1935, under the terms of the [[Tydings–McDuffie Act]], the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth, the [[Philippine Commonwealth]], with full independence planned for ten years later. Delayed by [[World War II]] and the [[Japanese occupation of the Philippines|Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines]], the Philippines became a fully independent [[sovereign state]] on July 4, 1946.<ref name="U.S. Department of State" /> Following independence, a strong US military presence remained, including a number of [[United States bases in the Philippines|US military bases]] that were agreed in treaties between the countries. Some treaties created a strong bond between them that gave both countries rights not enjoyed by other nations. The Mutual Defense Treaty between the [[Republic of the Philippines]] and the United States of America was signed on August 30, 1951, in Washington, D.C. between representatives of the Philippines and the United States.<ref name="Treaty text" />
[[Secretary of National Defense (Philippines)|Philippine Defense Secretary]] [[Delfin Lorenzana]] ordered a review of the MDT on December 28, 2018, to "maintain it, strengthen it, or scrap it".<ref>{{cite news|title=Lorenzana orders review of 67-year-old US-PH military pact|url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1057639|access-date=28 December 2018|work=[[Philippine News Agency]]|date=28 December 2018}}</ref> On February 11, 2020, the Philippines notified the US that it would withdraw from the [[Visiting Forces Agreement (Philippines – United States)|Visiting Forces Agreement]], leading to speculation that the move could impact the MDT.<ref name="tgam">{{cite news|title=Philippines notifies U.S. of intent to end major security pact|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-philippine-president-to-terminate-troop-agreement-with-us/|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc|date=11 February 2020}}</ref> It reversed its decision in June 2020.
In 2021, after the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over a new Chinese law that may endanger Filipino fishers, US [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Antony Blinken]] reaffirmed the US commitment to the MDT.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/01/28/2073688/us-reaffirms-commitment-mutual-defense-treaty-philippines|title=US reaffirms commitment to Mutual Defense Treaty with Philippines|date=January 28, 2021|newspaper=Philippine Star}}</ref> In a 2022 meeting, US Vice President [[Kamala Harris]] reportedly assured Philippine president [[Bongbong Marcos]] that "an armed attack on the Philippines armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US Mutual Defense commitments."<ref>{{cite news|date=November 22, 2022|title=Kamala Harris Says US Commitment to Philippines 'Unwavering'|newspaper=The Diplomat|url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/11/kamala-harris-says-us-commitment-to-philippines-unwavering/}}</ref>
In September 2024, the United States Secretary of defense [[Lloyd Austin|Lloyd Austin III]] reaffirmed its "ironclad" commitment to defending the Philippines after China's latest effort to assert its naval presence in the South China Sea.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mendoza|first=John Eric|last2=dlejano|date=2024-06-27|title=US reaffirms 'ironclad' commitment to PH after West Philippine Sea incident|url=https://www.inquirer.net/407534/austin-repeats-ironclad-pact-after-violent-ayungin-mission-but-mutual-defense-treaty-not-mentioned/|access-date=2024-09-05|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}</ref>
In October 2024, The Philippine Navy and the United States Navy conducted joint anti-submarine and night patrol exercises as part of their ''Sama-Sama'' ("together" in Filipino) military drills. The exercises are designed to enhance the interoperability of the two navies and improve their readiness in maritime security operations. Japan, Australia, Canada, and France will join the exercises.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=U.S. and Philippines launch war games as Taiwan detects record number of Chinese military aircraft around island - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-philippines-launch-war-games-china-taiwan-drills/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
These naval maneuvers come amid heightened tensions due to the increasing presence of Chinese vessels, including warships, in the West Philippine Sea, part of the contested South China Sea. The drills are seen as a strategic response to rising security concerns in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=U.S. and Philippines launch war games as Taiwan detects record number of Chinese military aircraft around island - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-philippines-launch-war-games-china-taiwan-drills/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 4, 2024, Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, confirmed that the treaty compelling the United States to defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack would remain unchanged, irrespective of the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. The agreement obligates both nations to come to each other's defense in the event of an external armed attack, reaffirming the longstanding military alliance between the two countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Envoy sees ‘no major change’ in US-PH ties whoever wins US elections |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/3/envoy-sees-no-major-change-in-us-ph-ties-whoever-wins-us-elections |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref>
==Specifics==
The overall accord contains eight articles and dictates that both nations would support each other if either the Philippines or the United States were to be attacked by an external party.
As stated in Article I of the treaty, each party is to settle international disputes in a peaceful manner so that international peace is not threatened, and to refrain from the threat of the use of force in any manner that is inconsistent with the purpose of the [[United Nations]]. Article II states that each party either separately or jointly through mutual aid may acquire, develop and maintain their capacity to resist armed attack. Article III states that from time to time the parties will consult one another through the use of their secretaries of state, foreign ministers or consuls in order to determine the appropriate measures of implementation. The parties will also consult one another when either party determines that their territorial integrity, political independence or national security is threatened by armed attack in the Pacific. Article IV states that an attack on either party will be acted upon in accordance with their constitutional processes and that any armed attack on either party will be brought to the attention of the United Nations for immediate action. Once the United Nations has issued such orders, all hostile actions between the signatories of this treaty and opposing parties will be terminated.
Article V defines the meaning of attack and its purpose which includes all attacks by a hostile power will be held as an attack on a metropolitan area by both parties or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific. Article VI states that this treaty does not affect, impede, or shall not be interpreted as affecting the rights and obligations of the parties under the [[Charter of the United Nations]]. Article VII states that the treaty shall be ratified in accordance with the constitutional processes set delineated by the [[Constitution of the United States]] and the [[Constitution of the Philippines]]. Lastly, Article VIII stipulates that the treaty terms are indefinite until one or both parties wish to terminate the agreement. If the agreement is to be terminated, either party must give one-year advance notice.<ref name="Treaty text"/>
==Support==
[[File:President Benigno Aquino III with U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.jpg|thumb|Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] featured with Philippine President [[Benigno Aquino III|Benigno Aquino]] (left) taken while Secretary Clinton was speaking during her two-day visit to the Philippines as a part of President Obama's ''Partnership for Growth'' agreement which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the two nations Mutual Defense Treaty, November 17, 2011.]]
[[File:US Navy 080629-N-7730P-009 Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of Staff, Gen. Alexander B. Yano shares a handshake with Lt.j.g. Eduardo Vargas. Gen. Yano flew aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).jpg|thumb|General Alexander B. Yano, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shakes hands with Lieutenant Junior-Grade Eduardo Vargas on the [[USS Ronald Reagan]].]]
After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union dissolved]] and communism declined in the 1990s, bilateral support for the treaty has varied, especially in the Philippines. Generally, the Philippine government has remained supportive of the treaty since its inception, often coming to rely on the US for its defenses as it has done since World War II. This was made apparent during the [[Cold War]] by the numerous active US military bases in the Philippines. The most controversial of these bases is [[Clark Air Base]] outside of metro Angeles City, and the [[US Naval Base Subic Bay]]. The bases were garrisoned for nearly 40 years after the end of World War II until the early 1990s. In 1991, anti-US sentiment in the Philippines forced the Philippine Senate to reject a new base agreement treaty that subsequently forced all US forces to be removed from the Philippines.<ref name="New York Times"/> However, with the rise of global terrorism with the [[9/11 attacks]] and the subsequent economic rise and militant expansion of China, the US strengthened its ties to the Philippines and its other Asian allies.<ref name="Congressional Research Services"/>
In its 60th anniversary year, in a ceremony held on November 11, 2011, on the deck of the US-guided missile destroyer [[USS Fitzgerald]] docked in Manila, the two governments reaffirmed the treaty with the ''Manila Declaration''. The declaration was signed by Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Del Rosario and [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]]. The declaration was a formal affirmation of defensive ties between the two countries that date back over a century.<ref name="US Department of State"/> The declaration states, in part:
{{blockquote|The Republic of the Philippines and the United States reaffirm our shared obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty. We expect to maintain a robust, balanced, and responsive security partnership including cooperating to enhance the defense, interdiction, and apprehension capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America today commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty. On this historic occasion, we reflect on the rich history of our alliance and the continuing relevance of the treaty for peace, security, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. We also reaffirm the treaty as the foundation of our relationship for the next 60 years and beyond.
The United States and the Philippines are bound by a deep and abiding friendship forged by a history of shared sacrifice and common purpose. The many Filipinos who bravely served side-by-side with American servicemen and women during World War II and the veterans of our two nations buried at the Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio bear testament to our profound and enduring bonds. These bonds are enriched by the presence in the US of over four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans, and in the Philippines by over 150,000 Americans, who help shape the political and economic future of both countries.<ref name="US Department of State"/>}}
In a follow-up to the signing of the Manila Declaration, the US and Philippine representatives met in 2011 to sign onto a new partnership strengthening the economic and defensive ties of the two countries. This new formal agreement was termed ''Partnership for Growth''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usaid.gov/philippines/partnership-growth-pfg|publisher=United States Agency for International Development|access-date=February 21, 2022|title=Partnership for Growth with Equity &#124; Philippines &#124; US Agency for International Development|date=January 6, 2020}}</ref> This agreement came as a part of President Obama's Global development initiative, which was designed to strengthen the Philippines business development and commercial ties between the two countries.<ref name="Initiative For Global Development"/> During the signing ceremony of this agreement, Secretary Clinton reaffirmed the US position on the mutual defense of the Philippines through the statement "The US will always be in the corner of the Philippines. We will always stand and fight with you to achieve the future we seek".<ref name=Inquirer>{{cite news|title=Clinton Vows Greater Support for Philippine Defense|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/18437/clinton-vows-greater-support-for-ph-defense.htm|access-date=12 April 2012|newspaper=Inquirer Global Nation}}</ref> By 2017, this had evolved into ''Partnership for Growth with Equity'', in line with the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usaid.gov/philippines/partnership-growth-pfg|title=PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH WITH EQUITY|publisher=United States Agency for International Development|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/philippine-development-plan-2017-2022/|title=Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022|date=February 21, 2022|publisher=National Economic and Development Authority, Government of the Philippines}}</ref>
==Opposition==
[[File:Evacuees from Mount Pinatubo board the USS Abraham Lincoln.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Evacuees board the {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}}]]
Opposition to the treaty has had its periods on both sides of the Pacific. The longevity of the US military presence in the Philippines caused opposition to the treaty to begin in the 1980s, with the escalating tensions surrounding US policy and its repercussions.<ref name="Anti-Americanism Comparative Perspectives"/> The late 1970s and the 1980s saw a rise in anti-American sentiment following the increasing allegations and perpetrations of US military personnel misconduct towards Filipino men and women. The nightclubs and social hotspots surrounding [[Clark Air Force Base]] and [[Naval Base Subic Bay]] became flashpoints of allegations of assaults by American service members on local Filipinos.<ref name="Anti-Americanism Comparative Perspectives"/> Political tensions steadily grew.
In 1991, the Military Bases Agreement of 1947 was expiring and the [[George H. W. Bush administration]] in the US and the [[Corazon Aquino]] administration in the Philippines were in talks to renew the agreement. A new treaty, the RP-US Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Security, was signed for the renewal of the Subic Bay lease.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joc.com/maritime-news/us-philippines-sign-10-year-pact-use-subic-dockyard_19910827.html|title=US, PHILIPPINES SIGN 10-YEAR PACT ON USE OF SUBIC DOCKYARD|date=Aug 27, 1991|agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="University of California at Berkeley" /> Anti-American sentiment continued to grow in the Philippines and was reflected in the election of a [[Philippine Senate]] majority against the treaty's renewal. On September 13, 1991, the Philippine Senate voted not to ratify the new treaty.<ref name="New York Times"/> As a result, the last US military personnel in the Philippines were removed from the bases on November 24, 1992.
[[File:US Flag lowered and Philippine flag raised during turnover of NS Subic Bay.jpg|thumb|The U.S. flag is lowered by marines and a Philippine flag is raised during turnover of Naval Station Subic Bay]]
The opposition movement within the Philippines subsided after the removal of US personnel from the Philippines in the early 1990s but never truly dissipated in its entirety. Anti-American sentiment remained a prevalent social issue within the collegiate community in [[Metro Manila]], and relatively small demonstrations routinely took place outside the US embassy until the early 2000s.<ref name="Congressional Research Service"/> As a result of the unfortunate events surrounding the 9/11 attacks, the US began restructuring and exercising its rights in the treaty as a part of its [[War on Terrorism]],<ref name="Congressional Research Service"/> which included the deployment of US forces to the Philippines in [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines]] to advise and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
==2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement==
{{Main|Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement}}
On April 28, 2014, desiring to enhance cooperative capacities and efforts in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, both governments executed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).<ref name=EDCA>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/04/29/document-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement/|title=Document: Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement|date=April 29, 2014|work=Official Gazette|publisher=Government of the Philippines}}</ref> It is designed to promote the following between the Philippines and the United States:
* Interoperability
* Capacity building towards AFP modernization
* Strengthening AFP for external defense
* Maritime Security
* Maritime Domain Awareness
* Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR)
The agreement allows US forces access to and use of designated areas and facilities owned and controlled by the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] at the invitation of the Philippine Government. It contains a clear provision that the US will not establish a permanent military presence or base in the Philippines and a prohibition of entry to the Philippines of nuclear weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/04/28/qna-on-the-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement/|title=Q&A on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement|work=Official Gazette|publisher=Government of the Philippines}}</ref> The EDCA has an initial term of ten years, and thereafter will continue in force until terminated by either party after having given a one-year notice of intention to terminate.<ref name=EDCA />
==See also==
* [[San Francisco System]]
* {{section link|Mutual Defense Treaty|United States}}
* [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization]] (SEATO; 1954 - 1977)
* [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO; 1949–Present)
* [[ANZUS]] (non-binding)
* [[Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty]] (1955-1980)
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="U.S. Department of State">{{cite web|title=Republic of the Philippines|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm#history|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=2012-02-18}}</ref>
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<ref name="Congressional Research Services">{{cite web|title=CRS Report for Congress:U.S. Strategic and Defense Relationships in the Asia-Pacific Region|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33821.pdf|publisher=Congressional Research Services|access-date=2012-04-16}}</ref>
<ref name="Treaty text">{{cite web|title=Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines|url=https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/phil001.asp |date=1951-08-30 |website=[[Avalon Project]] |publisher=[[Lillian Goldman Law Library]]|access-date=2022-09-11}}</ref>
<ref name="US Department of State">{{cite web|title=Signing of the Manila Declaration|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/11/177226.htm|publisher=Department of State|access-date=2012-04-15}}</ref>
<ref name="Initiative For Global Development">{{cite web|title=IGD Policy Perspectives|url=http://www.igdleaders.org/sections/newsmedia/newsmedia_policyperspectives_june2011.asp|publisher=Initiative For Global Development|access-date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009071240/http://www.igdleaders.org/sections/newsmedia/newsmedia_policyperspectives_june2011.asp|archive-date=October 9, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Anti-Americanism Comparative Perspectives">{{cite book|title=Anti-Americanism in the Philippines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jq4FMb47AnEC&q=ANti+US+Sentiment+in+the+Philippines.htm%3DAnti-Americanism&pg=PA259|access-date=2012-04-15|isbn=9781846450266|last1=O'Connor|first1=Brendon|last2=Griffiths|first2=Martin|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood Publishing}}</ref>
<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news|title=Philippine Senate Votes to Reject U.S. Base Renewal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/16/world/philippine-senate-votes-to-reject-us-base-renewal.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm.htm|newspaper=New York Times|date=September 16, 1991|access-date=2012-04-15|last=Shenon|first=Philip}}</ref>
<ref name="Congressional Research Service">{{cite web|title=US Military Operations in the War on Terrorism|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32758.pdf|publisher=Congressional Research Service|access-date=2012-04-15}}</ref>
<ref name="University of California at Berkeley">{{cite web|url=http://basc.berkeley.edu/pdf/Emmers_SecurityInstitutionalismSEA.pdf|title=Security Relations and Institutionalism in Southeast Asia|publisher=University of California at Berkeley|access-date=2012-04-15}}</ref>
}}
{{Foreign relations of the Philippines}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mutual Defense Treaty (U.S.-Philippines)}}
[[Category:1951 treaties]]
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[[Category:1951 in the United States]]
[[Category:Military treaties]]
[[Category:Treaties entered into force in 1951]]
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[[Category:20th-century military alliances]]
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[[Category:Cold War treaties]]
[[Category:Cold War alliances and military strategy]]
[[Category:United States military in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Philippines–United States relations]]
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