DND, AFP mark 75th anniversary of MDT

MANILA, Philippines — On the 75th anniversary of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) yesterday, the US reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with the country and honoring its commitments under the agreement, which it described as the foundation of the two nations’ “ironclad alliance.”

“The Treaty remains an enduring testament to our unwavering commitment to each other’s defense and security,” US State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott said in a statement.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of US-Philippines diplomatic relations, which he said is eight decades defined by shared history, shared sacrifices, and a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, of which the treaty has played an integral part. 

“As we look ahead to the next eight decades of US-Philippines relations, the United States reaffirms our commitment to deepening our relationship with the Philippines, to honoring our obligations in the Treaty, and to advancing our vibrant economic relationship through initiatives like the Luzon Economic Corridor,” Pigott said. 

“The rock-solid ties between our peoples underpin everything we do together as Allies,” he added.

For his part, defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the MDT is a cornerstone of the longstanding Philippine-American alliance and defense and security cooperation.

“For seven decades, the MDT has provided a framework for sustained cooperation between the two countries, strengthening interoperability, enhancing defense capabilities and contributing to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said in a statement.

Through exercises, maritime security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and other engagements, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military continue to work together in addressing shared security challenges.

“As we mark this milestone, the AFP reaffirms its commitment to further strengthen the alliance, enhance our defense capabilities and interoperability, and contribute to a free, open, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific,” Andolong said.

The Philippines and the US signed the MDT on Aug. 30, 1951. The treaty establishes collective self-defense obligations but specifies that any armed attack includes one on “metropolitan territory” or “island territories” under the jurisdiction of either party in the Pacific.