Duterte says he wants to hear people first before VFA abrogation decision

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night said he wanted to hear the opinion of the public first before deciding on whether to renew or abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

In a televised briefing, the president said he has been approached and asked about his decision over the VFA, an agreement that allows American forces to hold joint military exercises among others with their Filipino counterparts.

“I said I must be frank. I do not keep secrets for the people… Sabi ko, I have not yet, as yet decided on what to do. Meaning to say to abrogate or renew because I want to hear the people. I want the narratives to come up,” he said.

“And I said, there’s always the 8888 and you can enter your objections or any comment that you think can help the country. Pati kami dito matulungan ninyo,” he later added.

Duterte ordered the abrogation of the VFA after the United States government revoked the visa of his close ally, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

The president was recently criticized after he served notice to the United States government that it should pay the Philippines to resume the activities under the VFA.

Vice President Leni Robredo has said that Duterte’s attempt to seek payment from the US was similar to extortion.

In response, Duterte told Robredo that the Americans are fortifying their foothold in Subic, slowly converting the once military hub into a base anew, which could put the Philippines at the center of conflict should it erupt.—LDF, GMA News