VFA abrogation to affect future pacts with counties —ex-DFA exec

The Philippines' sudden withdrawal from the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US could affect future negotiations for a  similar treaty with other countries, former Foreign Affairs undersecretary Lauro Baja said on Sunday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Baja said the swift move to junk the VFA will have a neagtive effect on Philippine international relations.

“Makakaapekto 'yan in case ang plano natin is to make a similar VFA with other countries. Syempre, maiisip nila 'yung action natin with the VFA (with the US),” he said.

“Syempre sa negotiations, in the back of their minds, ‘yung biglaang pagkalas natin sa provision ng VFA,” he added.

Baja: Makakaapekto ito kung sakaling may plano tayong magkaroon ng VFA sa iba pang bansa. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 16, 2020

Baja, who is also a former United Nations ambassador, pointed out that agreements like the VFA will take time and study to be established. Baja said the VFA goes beyond political security.

President Rodrigo Duterte pushed the abrogation after the US visa cancellation of Senator Ronald dela Rosa and the ‘series of disrespectful actions’ of the US that supposedly aggravated the national integrity and sovereignty of the Philippines. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News