The United States Embassy in Manila on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Philippine government to extend the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), citing the importance of the alliance not only to both countries but to the entire Indo Pacific region.
“We welcome the Government of the Philippines’ decision to again suspend termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Our alliance continues to contribute not only to the security of our two nations, but also strengthens the rules-based order that benefits all nations in the Indo-Pacific,” the US Embassy said in a statement.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that President Duterte has decided to extend the suspension of VFA’s termination to another six months.
In a video message, Locsin said the decision was relayed to him and to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Romualdez during their meeting with the President.
According to Locsin, the six-month extension of the suspension of VFA’s termination will provide the President time to study and both sides to further address the former’s “concerns” regarding particular aspects of the agreement.
This was the third time the Philippines has decided to extend the VFA since Duterte announced that it is sending a notice of termination to the US on February 11, 2020.
When asked what aspects of the VFA were "of concern" for Duterte, DFA Executive Director for Strategic Communications Ivy Banzon-Abalos said they are waiting for guidance from the Palace.
Also on Monday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana welcomed the President's decision to extend the VFA abrogation for another six months, noting that this will provide additional time for the government to further review the pros and cons of the security pact that allows the entry of US military forces into the Philippines specifically during military training such as the yearly Balikatan.