Philippines eyeing VFA with Asian ally ‘near China,’ says Manalo

The Philippine government is eyeing a visiting forces agreement with an Asian ally "near China," Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Tuesday.

At the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department of Foreign Affairs' proposed P23-billion budget for 2024, Manalo was asked if the Philippines was pursuing similar pacts with other countries.

"We are considering other possible similar arrangements with other friendly partners for countries who wish to do so. And in fact, we are in discussion now with one country, a major partner near China," Manalo said.

"We are in discussion with them for a similar arrangement. There are some technical details but the whole idea is to forge a stronger relationship," he added.

The Chinese coast guard recently used water cannons on Philippine boats on a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal which is well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

China continues to assert its claims in the area despite the 2016 arbitral award which invalidated its claims and upheld those of the  Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Philippines has a visiting forces agreement with the US and a status of forces agreement with Australia.

These provide for joint exercises and training between the Philippines and the two countries.

"We also deal with our partners in trying to address this issue by forging more links. As you mentioned, we of course have the VFA with the United States and we have the VFA with Australia,"

Manalo said that the alliance with the Asian neighbor went beyond security cooperation.

"I just want to add not only on defense and security but also all in economics which we have stressed to our partners, even the United States, even Europe, that economic security, in many ways, is just as important as defending national security. So yes, we are presently in talks," Manalo said.

"And I think we're open to any other country which wishes to discuss a similar arrangement," he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News