Lorenzana: US “more likely to be involved in shooting war” in West PHL Sea than PHL

But in such a scenario, under MDT, PHL will “automatically be involved,” Lorenzana says

(Eagle News) — For Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the United States is “more likely to be involved in a shooting war” in the West Philippine Sea than the Philippines because of the “increased and frequent passage of” American naval vessels.

Even then, Lorenzana said on the basis of the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines will “automatically be involved,” which means the 1951 treaty with the US should really be reviewed.

“The fact that the security environment now is so vastly different and much more complex than the bipolar security construct of the era when the MDT was written necessitates (such a review)..It is not the lack of reassurance that worries me. It is being involved in a war that we do not seek and do not want,” Lorenzana said.

According to Lorenzana, when the US removed its bases in the country, the Chinese started its “aggressive actions” in the Mischief Reef but the “US did not stop it.”

Lorenzana said “ambiguity or vagueness” therefore does not translate to deterrence, as remarked by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin.

“In fact, it will cause confusion and chaos during a crisis,” Lorenzana said.