Photo credit: PCO

United States President Joseph Biden reiterated on Thursday his ironclad defense commitments to Japan and the Philippines, emphasizing that any aggression against Philippine aircraft, vessels, or military assets in the South China Sea would trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

Speaking at the opening of the first trilateral summit with the Philippines and Japan in Washington DC, President Biden underscored the enduring partnership between the three nations. He labeled Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as crucial allies in the pursuit of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Beyond defense cooperation, the summit witnessed a comprehensive commitment from the US and Japan to support the Philippines in addressing climate change and bolstering its economy. The leaders pledged to facilitate the growth of industries and create job opportunities for Filipinos.

President Marcos echoed the sentiment of shared objectives, emphasizing the significance of the trilateral meeting amid evolving challenges to the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.

The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty is the cornerstone of security collaboration between the Philippines and the United States. Strengthened by subsequent agreements such as the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the alliance ensures legal protection and facilitates military cooperation between the two nations. The VFA furnishes the legal framework for US military and civilian personnel in the Philippines, while the EDCA grants US forces access to designated locations for various security activities, including joint exercises and humanitarian missions.