Philippines rules out invoking defence treaty with US after South China Sea clash with the Dragon

The Philippines announced on Friday that it has no intention of invoking its mutual defense treaty with the United States following a violent confrontation with Chinese coast guard at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident involved the ramming, boarding, and damage of Philippine navy boats, as well as the seizure of rifles. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s advisers clarified in a news conference that Manila does not consider the incident an armed attack, a prerequisite for invoking the treaty.