PH should get fair share in 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, says JV Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Thursday said the Philippines and the United States should benefit equally from the mutual defense treaty between the two countries.

“As the name of the treaty suggests, Mutual Defense Treaty, dapat po ito ay pantay-pantay. We are considered the little brown brothers of the United States of America and one of their staunchest allies,” Ejercito said during the latest SMNI Senatorial Forum at the Okada Hotel in Parañaque City.

Despite some initial reservations about the move, Ejercito said he eventually saw the wisdom in President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw from the accord, arguing that the Philippines has been getting the short end of the stick when it comes to military aid.

“Nagtaka rin ako nung una, bakit si President Duterte, bakit di niya gusto ang Amerika? Pero looking back at the military aid, they gave us five, 10 million, probably 30 million dollars in military aid. When you look at other countries, hundreds of millions of dollars. And yet, we are supposed to be staunchest ally. Pag sinabing Pilipinas, kakampi agad ng Amerika,” he said.

“They have to equip us with (military) equipment just like a partner does. Dapat strategic partner tayo. Dapat pantay-pantay, hindi po bilang isang maliit na kapatid,” he added.

Signed in August 1951, the mutual defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States bound the two countries to support each other should one of them be attacked by external threats.

The Philippines withdrew from the accord in February 2020, but back-pedaled on its decision after a few months.

Ejercito said the Philippines should pursue stronger ties with its regional neighbors in countering China’s growing aggression.

“Aside from the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, we can already forge alliances with Australia, Japan, UK, and other Asian countries that have disputes with China,” he said.

/MUF