President Duterte Invokes The Philippine-US Defence Pact Over South China Sea Dispute With China

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord

CNN: Duterte invokes military pact with US amid South China Sea dispute

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said the United States should enforce the mutual defense treaty (MDT) with the Philippines in the wake of maritime tension in the South China Sea.

"I'm calling now America. I am invoking the RP-US pact, and I would like America to gather their Seventh Fleet in front of China. I'm asking them now," he said during a TV interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Read more ....

WNU editor: The Philippine government is saying that he was being sarcastic .... Invoking defense pact with US another 'sarcastic' remark from Duterte — Palace (PhilStar)

More News On President Duterte Invoking The Philippine-US Defence Pact

Philippines' president calls on US defense pact to back him in a naval fight with Beijing in the South China Sea -- Business Insider
Philippine president calls on Trump to park US Navy outside China -- Washington Examiner
Duterte slams critics as he invokes Philippine-US defence pact over South China Sea dispute -- SCMP/AP
'I'm calling now America': Duterte invokes defense treaty with US -- ABS-CBN