Malacaῆang on Monday said the latest statement of President Rodrigo Duterte on Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States is not considered extortion.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that it is only a move pushing for national interest, considering the benefit the western country has been getting.
“Hindi naman dapat libre ito dahil napakalaking danyos ang pwedeng harapin ng Pilipinas kapag tayo ay nadamay sa putukan o giyera na hindi naman tayo kasali (It shouldn’t be free because of the possible massive damage the Philippines will have to deal with when we find ourselves in a crossfire or war where we are not involved),” Roque explained.
“Huwag nating ipagkait sa ating mga kababayan ang karagdagang pondo ngayong pwede namang pagbayarin ang mga Amerikano para sa paggamit ng ating teritoryo (Let us not deprive the public of additional fund when we can ask the Americans to pay for the use of territories),” he added.
According to a study presented during the briefing, the Philippines is only getting $3.9 billion military assistance from the US, much lower than the amount given to Pakistan.
“Pakistan got $16B. We think we should get something similar or close to that amount, but definitely not the amount we’re currently getting,” Roque pointed out.
“For now, what the president wants is if you want to continue using our territory, we want just compensation for it… He wants compensation for the use of our territory because it will be in a manner that would endanger lives of Filipinos,” he concluded. – Report from Mela Lesmoras, PTV News Online
