US on Philippines’ termination of VFA: A serious step with significant implications

The US views the Philippines' termination of their Visiting Forces Agreement with the superpower "a serious step with significant implications" on the alliance between the two countries.

In a statement hours after it received the notice of termination, the US Embassy in Manila said the US would "carefully consider how best to move forward."

"This is a serious step with significant implications for the US-Philippines alliance.  We will carefully consider how best to move forward to advance our shared interests," the embassy said.

"Our two countries enjoy a warm relationship, deeply rooted in history.  We remain committed to the friendship between our two peoples," it added.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. signed and transmitted to the US Embassy the notice of termination of the Philippines' VFA with Washington - a move triggered by the visa cancellation of President Rodrigo Duterte's close ally.

Manila's move to abrogate the accord raised questions on the future of the 69-year treaty alliance of the Philippines and the US at a time when the country is grappling with the territorial conflict with China in the South China Sea.

The US Navy regularly conducts freedom of navigation patrols to ensure unfettered access to the resource-rich waters.

Military, technical assistance

Over the years, the US military also assisted the Armed Forces of the Philippines in combating extremist groups by providing technical assistance and enemy surveillance to Filipino troops battling the militants.

The US military has likewise provided aid to the Philippines during calamities and natural disasters.

Duterte, who has often criticized US policies while praising China and Russia, has threatened in the past to evict American forces in the Philippines, but robust relations of the two treaty allies have continued.

He ordered the abrogation of the defense pact, which allows American soldiers to regularly train with their Filipino counterparts in the country, after the US revoked the visa of his close aide and former police chief now senator, Ronald Dela Rosa.

US officials did not say why Dela Rosa's visa was cancelled, but many speculated it was due to his involvement in Duterte's violent war on drugs.

Duterte's drug war, which killed thousands of drug suspects, has been criticized by the US, United Nations, European Union, human rights groups and other countries.

There is also a US law that bans foreign government officials involved in human rights violations and corruption from entering America.

Framework on US presence

The VFA governs the treatment of US servicemen in military units and defense personnel who are in the Philippine territory for short periods for joint military exercises approved by both the Philippine and US governments.

It was on May 27, 1999 that the agreement was enacted, eight years after the closure of US military bases in the Philippines in 1991. It was negotiated and signed during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos and ratified during President Joseph Estrada’s time. —NB, GMA News