Philippines won't conjure up mutual defense treaty with United States after Chinese confrontation at challenged shoal

By JIM GOMEZ

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines-- The Philippines states it has no strategies to invoke its shared defense treaty with the United States after the Chinese coast guard apparently rammed, boarded and used machetes and axes to harm two Philippine navy boats in a disorderly faceoff that hurt several Filipino navy personnel at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s essential advisers made the remarks in a telecasted news conference Friday, squelching speculation that Manila might think about conjuring up the 1951 treaty to protect U.S. military help after Monday's confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal, where the Chinese coast guard also seized eight rifles. The Philippine military chief condemned the occurrence, likening it to an act of piracy.