Bato, Lacson among senators who welcome suspension of VFA abrogation

Several senators on Wednesday said they were in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to suspend the abrogation of the country's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said it was a "welcome development."

"Foreign policies can be flexible at times depending on the realities obtaining in the bilateral, regional, or global arena of foreign relations," he said in a message.

"Regarding my visa, I haven’t applied for a new one yet... Hindi ako sumulat kasi hindi ako easy boy," he added.

Duterte's decision to terminate the military accord in February came on the heels of Dela Rosa's US visa cancellation. The senator is a former chief of the Philippine National Police during the pilot years of the administration's drug war.

On Tuesday night, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines has informed the United States that it was suspending for six months the termination of the VFA which governs the conduct of visiting US personnel holding military exercises in the country.  

He said the move was made upon the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte and "in light of political and other developments in the region."

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairperson of the Senate committee on national defense and security, also welcomed the President's "change of heart."

"Just so I am clear where I'm coming from — I am not pro– or anti-American, as in actual fact, they took away my US visa a long time ago. Nor am I pro– or anti-Chinese since I have many friends in and out of  Beijing," Lacson said.

"The Philippines needs the Visiting Forces Agreement especially now that Chinese intrusions into our territory, particularly in the West Philippines Sea, have become commonplace," he added.

The senator underscored that the country cannot protect itself on its own from intrusions.

"The last thing that we should lose is the balance of power that the USA, among other allies like Australia and other ASEAN neighbors, can provide to suit our national interest and territorial integrity," he said.

Senator Richard Gordon also thinks the suspension of the VFA abrogation is for the best, especially as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Now with this pandemic that we are facing, it is not a time for breaking up relations but a time for cooperation, especially longstanding friendships. We have to continue to develop our ties with the United States. We have had a long history, bumpy as it is," he said.

Aside from keeping its ties with the US, the Philippines should also invest on its own military capabilities, he added.

Senator Sonny Angara also welcomed the decision of the Palace.

"It’s the safer, more cautious, and considered decision in this time of COVID when it helps to be friends with all nations and given some of the recent developments," he said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said revisiting the provisions of the military pact could also be considered.

"It’s time to review the VFA, it's time to review if it’s still required at this time. Times are changing very fast, and geopolitics is also changing very fast. It's time also to review in light of what’s happening in the region, kailangan ba pa natin ito?" he said.

"Kung kailangan natin, anong mga bagay na dapat nating ilagay, at ang pinakaimportante ay fair ito para sa atin," he added. —KG, GMA News