Palace: Duterte order to keep VFA upholds Philippine interest

Malacañang said Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to keep the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States upholds the country’s interests above all.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was referring to the President’s retraction of the termination of the VFA as announced by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during a press conference with visiting US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III.

The VFA is a 1999 military pact between Manila and Washington which allows American forces to hold joint military exercises, counter intelligence training, and engage in humanitarian aid missions with their Filipino counterparts.

The VFA, however, prohibits US troops from engaging in combat operations.

“The President’s decision to recall the abrogation of VFA is based on upholding the Philippines’ strategic core interests, the clear definition of Philippines-United States alliance as one between sovereign equals, and clarity of US position on its obligations and commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty,” Roque said.

He, however, noted that the Philippines is not dependent on one country alone.

“The Philippines will continue to engage other countries for partnerships that work, based on our core national interests,” Roque added.

Manila formally sought the VFA's termination back in February 2020 but decided to postpone such termination by six months in June 2020.

President Duterte again decided to suspend the VFA termination for another six months in November 2020.

The VFA provides that the pact "shall remain in force until the expiration of 180 days from the date on which either party gives the other party notice in writing that it desires to terminate the agreement.”—AOL, GMA News