The Philippines has demanded greater clarity from the United States on its commitment to their Mutual Defense Treaty. Signed nearly 70 years ago, the treaty is a cornerstone of the military alliance between Washington and Manila in the Asia-Pacific region. But on Dec. 20, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said his country needed better confirmation of whether Washington would ride to the rescue if the Philippines finds itself in a military confrontation over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea. Lorenzana argued that Washington's ambivalence on territorial issues in the South China Sea has made clarification necessary, and he stressed that the islets and shoals in the region should be covered by his country's treaty with the United States. In addition, Lorenzana has said that the issue was raised with U.S. officials in November....