President Rodrigo Duterte has recalled the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced Friday (July 30).
The Philippine defense chief’s announcement was issued after bilateral meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Malacaῆang on Thursday night (July 29).
Lorenzana said in a press conference with Austin that he has no information yet on Duterte’s reason to cancel VFA termination since he is “not privy to the details of the meeting.”
“But one thing is clear, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the ambassador to the United States have been actually working for this to happen. Maybe the President was convinced to continue with the VFA,” Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana said the VFA is “on full force” anew, and that both parties are “back on track”, adding that “there is no termination letter pending” on the matter.
The United States welcomed the new development on the agreement, saying that this would pave the way for further planning, advancement, and “more comprehensive exercises.”
In 2020, Duterte said he will abrogate the VFA with the US. He, However, suspended the termination for three times pandemic further review.
Also included in the defense secretaries’ discussion is the Mutual Defense Treaty, which provisions, according to Lorenzana, must adapt to the current situation.
The US said it stands by its commitment to the Philippines under the treaty.
Austin’s visit to the country followed his visit to Vietnam and Singapore as part of his Southeast Asia tour. He is set to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Decision welcomed
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision to keep VFA is in line with national interests. He added that the Philippines will remain engaged with “other countries for partnerships that work, based on our core national interests.”
“PRRD’s decision to recall the abrogation of VFA is based on upholding PH strategic core interests, the clear definition of PH-US alliance as one between sovereign equals, and clarity of US position on its obligations and commitments under MDT,” Roque said in a statement.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco expressed support for Duterte’s latest decision with hopes of a “closer and more cordial relationship between the Philippines and its long-time ally.”
“Now, more than ever, we need to maintain strong ties with the United States given the current uncertain and challenging international political environment that was further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Velasco said.
House Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez said the move will “definitely help strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, which is crucial in this age of pandemic.”
Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, likewise, said defense and security interests will benefit from the agreement.
“This bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and the US brings with it the strength of the Americans’ alliance with other nations who have upheld the free and open Indo-Pacific strategy as well as their support for the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling favoring the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG-rir
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