Philippines suspends abrogation of VFA with US

The Philippines has informed the United States that it was suspending for six months the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, the treaty which governs the presence of US soldiers conducting military exercises in the country.

Posting a copy of his note verbale to the US Embassy in Manila on Twitter, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said the suspension of the military accord was upon President Rodrigo Duterte's instruction and "in light of political and other developments in the region."

"I issued this diplomatic note to the US Ambassador. It has been received by Washington and well at that," Locsin said.

I issued this diplomatic note to the US ambassador. It has been received by Washington and well at that. The Note is self-explanatory and does not require comment except from me. The abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement has been suspended upon the President’s instruction. pic.twitter.com/BXqzyNpOty

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 2, 2020

The note, dated June 1, said: "The suspension shall start on even date and shall continue for six months, which period is extendible by the Philippines for another six months, after which the tolling of the initial period in Note Verbale No. 20-0463 dated 11 February 2020 shall resume."

Shortly after Locsin's tweet, the US welcomed the Philippine government’s decision.

"Our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines," a US Embassy statement said.

Under the accord, the VFA “shall remain in force until the expiration of 180 days from the date on which either party gives the other party notice in writing that it desires to terminate the agreement.”

Manila formally sought the VFA's termination on Feb. 11, 2020.

Duterte ordered the abrogation of the VFA, 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 cite a specific reason why Dela Rosa's visa was cancelled, but many speculated it was due to his involvement in Duterte's violent war on drugs. — NB/BM, GMA News