Filipino President Marcos Jr. threatens to invoke US mutual defense treaty if Filipino soldier is killed in a foreign attack, particularly amid China tensions.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said the country will invoke its mutual defense treaty with the US if a Filipino soldier is killed in a foreign attack, particularly amid growing tensions with China. Marcos made these remarks during a conversation with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The 1951 treaty pledges mutual defense between the Philippines and the US in the event of an external armed attack.