Philippine, US armies discuss enhanced cooperation amid Duterte threat vs. VFA

Despite President Rodrigo Duterte's order to terminate the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement with the US, officials of the two countries' armies talked about strengthening their alliance and supporting the commitment to one another.

In a meeting with USARPAC deputy commanding general Major General John Johnsonon Wednesday, Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay talked about strengthening the alliance between the Army and the US Army Pacific.

Gapay emphasized the Army's desire to strengthen its aviation, air defense, airborne, combat engineer, fires, sustainment operations, and cyber security capabilities as well as its combined arms training methods and doctrine.

His remarks also came a day after Duterte said that he was terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement, the pact that covers the presence of US troops involved in military exercises in the country.

“We have come prepared and determined to plan out the next actions that will further strengthen our alliance," Gapay said.

"I am confident that we are moving in the right direction towards ensuring that the alliance remains strong, dynamic and relevant,” he added.

USARPAC deputy commanding general Major General John Johnson underscored the commitment of both parties in their mutual defense trainings.

He also cited expanding USARPAC’s operational experience in an archipelagic environment such as the Philippines.

"Everything we do here should support the mutual defense training and demonstrate the commitment that we have for each other. We learn together, we become more capable and we build trust," Johnson said.

Aside from the meeting between the Army and USARPAC, both armies have also started its Balance Piston 20-1, one of the annual training exchanges between the Philippines and the US.

According to Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, the training exercise aims to strengthen the counter-terrorism capabilities and to enhance the interoperability between the two countries.

The training, which is scheduled from January 26 to February 23, is being held at the Philippine National Police Maritime Group Training Facility in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and at the Headquarters of the 18th Special Forces Company in Rizal, Palawan.

Last week, Duterte said he would order the scrapping of the VFA, which governs the presence of American troops in the Philippines for military exercises, if the US would not restore the visa of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

The Chief Executive also said he would slowly tone down the Philippines' relations with the US. —NB, GMA News