Philippines, US in talks for possible new deal in lieu of VFA - envoy Romualdez

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said he and US Ambassador Sung Kim are trying to find ways to craft another deal to replace the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

“We are now in the process of trying to find ways and means to be able to see how we can either come out with something similar perhaps again… still following the President’s thinking about the sovereignty issue,” he said during the forum "Post-VFA: Alliance Quo Vadis" in Makati City.

He said they are currently looking at the Philippines’ agreement with Japan and Australia as possible reference for the soon-to-be crafted new deal with the US.

“The Japan SOFA (status of forces agreement) is one of those recommended for study and also I think we have SOVFA (status of visiting forces agreement) with Australia. These are the two existing agreements with other countries,” he said.

“At the moment, I’m not at liberty to say what or where we are. But this is still being studied and recommendation will be made to the President (Rodrigo Duterte),” he added.

During the open forum, Romualdez said their discussions focus on creating a template that will be presented to the President.

“It is not yet presented to the President. This is merely option for him to see whether it is possible,” he said.

He said the military will present the proposed agreement to the President.

He further said the termination of the VFA will not mean the end of the relationship between the Philippines and US.

“My responsiblity is to continue to assure our friends in Washington DC that this is something that we have to face, the decision of the President. So we have to start moving forward and continue our relationship.  It is not an end all and be all,” he said during an ambush interview.

Duterte ordered the termination of VFA following the  cancellation of the visa of his ally, Senator Ronald dela Rosa over his alleged involvement in the extrajudicial killings during his stint as Philippine National Police chief. — MDM, GMA News