Malacañang denied that President Duterte is extorting the United States of America (USA) when he told the US to "pay" if it wants the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to continue, saying the Philippines should, in fact, be getting more than the $3.9 billion it is receiving from the US.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Panfilo Lacson agreed that Duterte's statement on the VFA last February 12 could be interpreted as "extortion."
In his Monday presser, Roque said that President Duterte was only right to ask the US to pay because it is making the Philippines a "valid military target." He cited the principle of state responsibility in international law that applies in the use by a state of another state’s territory and such use results in damage or injury to the latter.
"Hindi po ito (This is not) extortion," he said.
"Pagka nagka-giyera po, narito po ang mga pwersa ng mga Amerikano sa Pilipinas. Natural, ano ang gagawin ng mga kalaban ng Amerikano? Sasantuhin ba tayo kahit sabihin natin na hindi tayo kasali sa kanilang gulo? Hindi po (If a war breaks out, the American troops are here in the Philippines. What will their enemies do then? Do you think they will show us mercy? No)," he added.
"Hindi po dahil pinayagan nga natin ang presensiya ng mga kasundaluhang Amerikano at kanilang mga equipment dito sa Pilipinas (They won't spare us because we allowed the presence of American troops and equipment in the Philippines)," he continued.
'We deserve more'
Roque explained that President Duterte was also right to ask the US to pay for their stay in the Philippines, noting that the country is receiving very little compared to other US allies based on a 2018 study by the Stimson Center on Counterterrorism Spending: Protecting America While Promoting Efficiencies and Accountability.
Based on the study, the Philippines presently receives from the US $3.9 billion, which is 12th in the list of America's foreign assistance obligations in countries with heavy counterterrorism component. Topping the list is Afghanistan with $97.8 billion followed by Pakistan with $16.4 billion.
Roque questioned America's move to give Pakistan at least four times more than what it is giving the Philippines. "Barya po 'yan kumpara sa mga nakukuha ng ibang bansa. For instance, Pakistan. Kailan lang ba 'yan naging alyado ng America (That's chump change compared to what they are giving to other countries. For instance, Pakistan. When did they become allies)?" he said.
"Wala po silang basehan para sabihin na napakahaba ng kanilang samahan sa America, hindi kagaya ng mga Pilipino na nagsimatayan sa giyera noong World War II diyan sa Death March. Pero magkano ang binibigay nila ngayon sa Pakistan? $16.4 billion (Pakistan does not have any basis to say that they have deep ties with the US link Filipinos who died during World War II in the Death March. But how much are they giving Pakistan? $16.4 billion)," he added.
The Philippines' diplomatic ties with the US started in 1946 while the US' diplomatic ties with Pakistan started in 1947. However, the US' military relations with Pakistan has been referred to as "America's most allied ally in Asia" due to shared interests in security and stability in South Asia, Central Asia, as well as in regions covering Eastern Europe.
"Pakistan got $16 billion. We think we should get something similar or close to that amount but definitely not the amount we're currently getting," he said.
"Bakit hindi naman natin kukunin ang mas malaking halaga eh napakadami nating gastos lalo na dito sa COVID-19 (We shouldn't we ask for more when he have a lot of expenses especially on the coronavirus disease)?" he added.
In his speech last Friday, President Duterte reminded the Americans that the military pact between the two countries is a "shared responsibility."
"I’d like to put on notice-- if there’s an American agent here-- that from now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? You have to pay," he said.
"It’s a shared responsibility. But, your share of responsibility does not come free because, after all, when the war breaks out, we all pay. You, kami (us)," he added.
In December last year, President Duterte warned the United States that he will proceed with the abrogation of the VFA if the latter fails to produce 20 million doses of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines for the Philippines.
The VFA, signed in 1998 and ratified the following year, allows joint trainings between American and Filipino soldiers in the Philippines and governs the conduct of US troops while they are in the country.
In February last year, President Duterte ordered the termination of the VFA after the US revoked the visa of his close ally Senator Ronald Dela Rosa and after the ban on the entry of officials supposedly behind the arrest and detention of Senator Leila de Lima.
In June 2020, President Duterte suspended the termination of the VFA due to "political and other developments in the region." Last month, the government suspended the abrogation anew but negotiations continue.