PH, as treaty ally, should help US if attacked by North Korea

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines as a treaty ally should help the United States if it is attacked by North Korea,  Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Friday.

“I think as treaty allies, if there is an attack we should help one another which is what the treaty alliance is all about,” Del Rosario said in ambush interview with reporters after the opening ceremonies of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercises held at Camp Aguinaldo.

Del Rosario did not give a categorical answer when asked if the Philippines would offer its bases to the United States if war erupts on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, he said the Philippines was also working on its contingency plans should it be affected by the attack.

“Well I think we are all concerned about the actions of North Korea and we are preparing for the, well we have our own contingency plans that we’re working on…” he said.

Based on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, both the US and Philippines would support each other if either country is attacked by an external party.