Why a Russia-NATO War would be relevant to the Philippines?

Some Filipino Patriots think that the on-going frictions between NATO and Russia (over Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, Crimea, Georgia, etc.) are of minimal relevance to Philippines.

Wrong.

If NATO goes to war against Russia, Uncle Sam goes to war against Russia too.

Fortunately or unforunately, the Philippines has a 64-year Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with Uncle Sam.

Instead of explaining the implications of the MDT vis-a-vis any Russia-NATO War, I have presented below the full text of the MDT.

Now read it line-by-line carefully.

Then close your eyes and ask yourself:

How high is the probability that the Philippines will be compelled to fight on the side of NATO in case of a Russia-NATO War?

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MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATYBetween theTHE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESand theTHE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Parties of this Treaty

Reaffirming their faith in the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific area.

Recalling with mutual pride the historic relationship which brought their two peoples together in a common bond of sympathy and mutual ideals to fight side-by-side against imperialist aggression during the last war.

Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the Pacific area.

Desiring further to strengthen their present efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific area.

Agreeing that nothing in this present instrument shall be considered or interpreted as in any way or sense altering or diminishing any existing agreements or understandings between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.  

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I.  The parties undertake as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relation from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.  

ARTICLE II. In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty, the Parties separately and jointly by self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.  

ARTICLE III. The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.  

ARTICLE IV.  Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.  

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.  

ARTICLE V.  For purposes of ARTICLE IV, 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.  

ARTICLE VI. This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.  

ARTICLE VII.  This Treaty shall be ratified by the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America in accordance with their respective constitutional processes and will come into force when instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them at Manila.  

ARTICLE VIII. This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been given to the other party.

In witness whereof the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.chanrobles virtualawlibrary

Done in duplicate at Washington this thirtieth day of August, 1951.

For the Republic of the Philippines:

(Sgd.) CARLOS P. ROMULO  

(Sgd.) JOAQUIN M. ELIZALDE  

(Sgd.) VICENTE J. FRANCISCO  

(Sgd.) DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL  

 

For the United States of America:

(Sgd.) DEAN ACHESON  

(Sgd.) JOHN FOSTER DULLES  

(Sgd.) TOM CONNALLY  

(Sgd.) ALEXANDER WILEY