US, Philippines to continue talks on fixing VFA terms —Lorenzana

The United States and the Philippines will continue to talk abut tweaking the terms in the Visiting Forces Agreement, whose abrogation has been suspended for six months by President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Friday.

On the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 36th Balikatan Exercise, Lorenzana said he cannot predict President Duterte's decision on the VFA's fate after the suspension of the military pact's termination ends in August.

“Nevertheless the US and the Philippine militaries will continue talks on how we can improve the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he said.

Chargé d'Affaires John Law of the US Embassy in Manila expressed optimism on the matter citing the importance of the agreement for the military partnership of the two countries.

“I would not want to get ahead of the two sides as they are talking. I’m always optimistic that we are going to see positive results from that,” Law said.

In June 2020, the Philippines informed the US that it was suspending for six months the termination of the VFA, "in light of political and other developments in the region."

In November 2020, Duterte extended for another six months the suspension of abrogation of the VFA, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.

US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien then suggested extending the suspension of abrogation by another year, and the Palace said Duterte has taken note of suggestion.

The VFA took effect in 1999 after being ratified by the Philippine Senate, effectively allowing American soldiers to train and advise their Filipino counterparts in disaster response and its fight against terrorists. —LBG, GMA News