On Friday, the Philippines announced it will not invoke its mutual defense treaty with the United States following a violent altercation with the Chinese coast guard at the contested Second Thomas Shoal. The incident saw Chinese personnel reportedly ramming, boarding, and using machetes and axes to damage two Philippine navy vessels, resulting in injuries to several Filipino navy members.

During a televised press conference, advisers to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed the notion of invoking the 1951 treaty to seek U.S. military aid. This comes after the Chinese coast guard confiscated Philippine navy rifles during the confrontation, which the Philippine military chief condemned as an act of piracy. He demanded the return of the weapons and reparations for the damages.

The territorial disputes in the South China Sea, involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, remain a critical flashpoint that could potentially draw the U.S. into conflict with China. Washington has consistently affirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces come under attack, including in the South China Sea.

Andres Centino, presidential assistant on maritime concerns, clarified that invoking the treaty with the U.S. has not been discussed. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin suggested that the incident might have been a misunderstanding rather than an armed attack as defined by the treaty.

In a move perceived as a concession to China, Bersamin said President Marcos approved a recommendation to make public the schedule of supply runs to the Philippine outpost at the shoal. The BRP Sierra Madre, an old warship manned by a small Philippine navy contingent since 1999, has been at the center of an increasingly tense territorial standoff with China.

During Monday’s prolonged confrontation, Chinese personnel in over eight motorboats reportedly rammed and boarded two Philippine navy inflatable boats to block them from delivering supplies. The Chinese seized eight M4 rifles, damaged the boats, and injured several Filipino personnel, including one who lost a thumb. While the Philippine navy reported only one injury, security officials indicated that at least five personnel were treated on a nearby coast guard vessel.

China accused the Philippines of trespassing and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Filipino personnel from the shoal, which the Philippines claims is within its exclusive economic zone. Despite this, the Philippines has vowed not to back down in the face of Chinese aggression.