DND, AFP officials to meet with US counterparts amid suspension of VFA abrogation —Santos

Officials from the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines will meet with their American counterparts to talk about the outcome of the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, AFP chief General Felimon Santos Jr. said on Wednesday. 

In a press statement, Santos said the AFP "upholds the decision to suspend the abrogation of the VFA." 

"The AFP is committed to continue with our defense  cooperation with our US counterparts on matters of shared security interests particularly in combatting terrorism and in addressing the pandemic brought about by COVID-19," Santos said. 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier said the Philippine government has suspended the termination of the VFA for six months "in light of political and other developments in the region." 

In a note verbale dated June 1, the government stated that "the suspension shall start on even date and shall continue for six months, which period is extendable 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."

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to suspend the termination because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 

With this development, Lorenzana said the Philippines could expect more assistance from the US in curbing the spread of COVID-19. 

For its part, the US government welcomed this development, saying that it "looks forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines."

On February 11, the Philippines formally sought the VFA's termination after the US revoked the visa of Duterte's ally, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa. 

In 1999, the VFA took effect after being ratified by the Philippine Senate. It allows American soldiers to train and advise the Philippine military in disaster response and in its fight against terrorists. 

However, under the said agreement, US forces are not allowed to take part in combat operations.

The VFA would be deemed terminated upon a party's written notice of its intention to end the treaty, which becomes effective after 180 days. —KG, GMA News