Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio interprets US Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit as a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment under the Mutual Defense Treaty. This treaty is triggered by any armed attack on Philippine vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea, which would prompt military cooperation between the two nations.
Carpio notes that this message is not only for the Philippines but also for other countries in the region, particularly China. The visit serves as a reassurance of US commitment to its treaty allies and a deterrent against potential aggression from neighboring states.
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