Philippines Declines to Invoke US Defense Pact After South China Sea Clash with China

The Philippines has decided not to invoke its mutual defense treaty with the United States following a violent confrontation with the Chinese coast guard at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. During the incident, Chinese personnel reportedly rammed, boarded, and used machetes and axes to damage two Philippine navy boats, resulting in injuries to Filipino navy personnel. Despite the aggressive actions, Philippine officials have stated that the situation does not trigger the conditions necessary to invoke the defense pact with the United States. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping territorial claims.