Sobejana on VFA abrogation: We should be able to stand on our own

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said the  military should be able to stand on our own amid the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

Interviewed on One News on Thursday, Sobejana was asked about the possible impact of the abrogation of the agreement on the Philippine military.

“As an AFP, we should be able to stand alone kasi if we are so dependent on other countries e hindi tayo ano, e sinasabi nating we should be on top of situation always,” he said.

“It is just a matter of allocating what we have, optimizing the utilization of our resources to make things happen, to solve problems, and achieve long and lasting peace and progress,” he added.

The AFP chief pointed out that the VFA only covers exercises with the US military, but they do not participate in actual operations of the Philippine forces.

Sobejana  said he respects the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte in terminating the agreement.

Despite the impending abrogation of the VFA, he noted that the US-Philippines ties are still being recognized since the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US is still in place.

“Nandun pa rin ‘yung ating relationship. VFA lang naman 'yung binanggit ng ating Pangulo. The Mutual Defense Treaty as what I’ve said remains and it shall continue to function,” he said.

Manila formally sought the termination of VFA on February 11, 2020 after the US revoked the visa of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

In June 2020, the Philippines informed the US that it was suspending for six months the termination of the VFA.

In November 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte extended for another six months the suspension of abrogation of the VFA.—AOL, GMA News