Philippines expects VFA issues resolved under Biden, says envoy

The Philippines expects issues related to the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States to be resolved under the newly installed administration of US President Joe Biden, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Thursday.

In an interview on Unang Hirit, Romualdez said there is a planned bilateral dialog between the security forces of both countries.

"I'm quite confident na lahat ng mga issues sa ting visiting forces, mare-resolve yan. In fact, may planned bilateral strategic dialog between our Armed Forces and the Pentagon or the US Armed Forces," Romualdez said.

"This is a continuing program naman. Every year 'yan nagmi-meet sila. Lahat ng kung anong gusto ipaalam sa ating mga kaibigan sa America ite-take up nila dun. Tuluy-tuloy ang relasyon lalo na yung security relationshiop," he added.

The Philippines in February 2020 formally sought the termination of the VFA with the US after it canceled the visa of Duterte ally Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

The country, however, suspended the termination process in June, citing political and other developments in the region.

The suspension was extended in November.

In December, Duterte threatened to do away with the VFA if the US would not give the Philippines access to COVID-19 vaccines.

As regards issues in the South China Sea, Romualdez said the US under Biden is expected to continue to recognize the Philippines claims as reflected in the arbitral award won by the country.

"Sinabi na ni Secretary of State-designate Tony Blinken na kilala na natin sinabi niya
na yung kanilang policy towards china will be more or less the same as what the trump administration had," Romualdez said.

"kanya lang iba yung kanilang approach. There will be cooperation in many other areas pero... for instance, yung sa South China Sea, the US has recognized our arbitral award. So they will continue with that policy," he added. -NB, GMA News