Duterte yet to change mind on VFA termination even after US restored Bato's visa

President Rodrigo Duterte's mind has yet to change his mind as regards the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US even after the superpower decided to restore his visa, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Thursday.

In a televised briefing on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the six-month suspension of the termination of was still in effect.

“Hindi pa po nagbabago ‘yung huling binitawang salita ni Presidente na ipagpapaliban po ng six months ang pagte-terminate sa VFA at ito pong pagpapaliban ay extendable by another six months. ‘Yan pa rin po ang posisyon,” he said.

Dela Rosa said on Wednesday the US embassy told him that his canceled visa may be fixed months after President Rodrigo Duterte and his American counterpart Donald Trump had a telephone conversation.

Duterte and Trump talked over the phone in April to discuss cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

The suspension of the VFA termination was announced by the Philippine government in June. -NB,