Lorenzana: DND welcomes extension of suspension of abrogation of VFA

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the Department of National Defense (DND) "fully supports" the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend by another six months the suspension of the abrogation of the country's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.

"The DND fully supports the President’s decision to suspend for another six months the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement," Lorenzana said in a statement.

"Our bilateral cooperation with the U.S. is geared towards upholding our national interest and to the extent necessary to enhance the Philippines’ defense capability," he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced on Monday that Duterte has extended for another six months the suspension of the abrogation of the country's VFA with the US.

Locsin said Duterte decided to suspend the termination of crucial security pact instead of renewing it so that both sides could study and address his "concerns regarding particular aspects of the agreement."

Lorenzana said the additional six months would indeed allow them to look into the VFA's pros and cons.

"With the additional six months, we will further review the pros and cons of the VFA especially regarding various concerns of mutual importance to our two countries with the end in view of helping the President arrive at an informed decision on the matter," he said.

The Philippines formally sought the VFA's termination on Feb. 11, 2020.

Duterte ordered the abrogation of the VFA, which allows American soldiers to regularly train with their Filipino counterparts in the country, after the US revoked the visa of his close aide and former police chief now 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, Duterte extended for another six months the suspension of abrogation of the VFA amid lingering tensions in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). 

In December 2020, however, Duterte threatened to terminate the VFA should the US fail to immediately provide a minimum of 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.

The VFA governs the treatment of US servicemen in military units and defense personnel who are in the Philippine territory for short periods for joint military exercises approved by both the Philippine and US governments.

In February this year, the US reaffirmed its commitment to its alliance with the Philippines through the Mutual Defense Treaty and the VFA. —KG, GMA News