US Defense chief says VFA termination a ‘move in the wrong direction’

For US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States of America (VFA) is a "move in the wrong direction."

In an interview on Tuesday, Esper pointed out that the US is with the Philippines in strengthening the presence of their allies in the South China Sea as well as in telling China to abide by international laws when it comes to dealing with territorial issues.

"As we try and, you know, bolster our presence and compete with them in this era of great power competition, I think it's a move in the wrong direction for, again, for the longstanding relationship we've had with the Philippines for their strategic location, the ties between our peoples, our countries," Esper said.

"It's very unfortunate that they would make this move..." he added.

On Tuesday, the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, delivered the notice of termination of the country’s VFA with the US following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Chief Executive will not entertain any initiative coming from the US government to salvage the VFA from being terminated, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo further said Duterte will not accept any official invitation to visit the US.

According to Esper, the US government already received the notification from the DFA.

Esper said the US Defense department will "digest" it first.

"We have to work through the policy angles, the military angles. I'm going to hear from my commanders," Esper said.

"One hundred and eighty days. We've got to work through it, and we'll just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time," he added.

Duterte vowed to terminate the pact after the US canceled the visa of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

At present, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have not issued any statement ye as regards the government's move to end the deal as well as its impact on the Philippine military. — RSJ, GMA News