Philippines stands to lose ‘extra card’ vs. China sans VFA, expert says

A security analyst and international relations expert on Friday said scrapping the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States will have far-reaching effects on Manila's efforts in pushing for its claims in the West Philippine Sea.

In a 24 Oras report, professor Rommel Banaloi stressed one of the benefits that the Philippines gets from the bilateral agreement in terms of asserting the country's rights in the South China Sea.

"Kasi realistically, ginagamit din naman natin ang security alliance natin with the United States to deal with China," said Banlaoi, in light of President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to scrap the VFA after Dela Rosa's visa was revoked by the US government.

"So we play the American card in order to deal with China. So mawawalan tayo ng extra card to deal with China," he added.

The 1999 defense treaty allows American soldiers to participate in large-scale training with their Filipino counterparts in the country.

It is a framework agreement that covers the treatment and presence of American forces in the country with or without war games.

Under the deal, incoming US military personnel who will participate in the joint exercises will be exempted from passport and visa regulations upon entering and leaving the Philippines.

It also exempts from taxes and other fees all vehicles, vessels, and aircraft of the US armed forces, as well as materials, supplies, and other US properties, to be brought in the Philippines.

But perhaps its most controversial provision, the VFA will also be utilized in the event there is a crime committed by US personnel in the country.

In scrapping the accord, the Philippines would have to inform Washington that it is abrogating the agreement.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday said he has asked Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana to start the termination process of the VFA in retaliation for Washington's cancellation of former police chief and now senator Ronald Dela Rosa's US visa.

Duterte on Thursday threatened to scrap the VFA after Dela Rosa's visa was revoked by the US government for his involvement in the government's massive crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands of drug suspects dead. Duterte's violent drug war has been criticized by the US, United Nations, European Union, human rights groups and other countries. — MDM, GMA News