‘Right timing’ for US to save VFA: Palace

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday believed that it is the “right timing” for the United States to accept President Rodrigo Duterte’s demand for payment for the continuation of its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement, as he insisted that President Duterte can abrogate VFA without getting consent from the Senate.

“Tama po ang timing nang sinabi ni Presidente na they (Americans) have to pay up now. Kasi nga po, nauna na ‘yung kaniyang desisyon na nais na niyang tumiwalag diyan sa VFA (It’s the right timing when the President said they have to pay up now. It’s because the President already decided that he wants VFA revoked),” Roque said.

Roque said the US should take the opportunity to convince Duterte to save the VFA.

He, however, clarified that the Philippines is not forcing the US to pay if it wants to keep the VFA.

“Kung gusto nilang magpatuloy ang VFA, ngayon na po ang pagkakataon dahil kinakailangan ng bagong pirmahan. At siguro, pupuwedeng isama kung magkano ang ibabayad nila kung mayroon silang ibabayad. Kung wala, okay lang din naman (If they want VFA to continue, now is the chance because another signing of the deal is needed. Perhaps, they can say how much they can give. If they have nothing to pay, that’s fine),” Roque said.

On Feb. 12, Duterte said the US has to “pay” first before he reconsiders his decision to abrogate the VFA.

Duterte said the US should give the Philippines something in return, especially since the latter is the “nearest, possible, and convenient outpost” should a war break out.

The Philippine government, upon Duterte’s order, scrapped on Feb. 11, 2020 the VFA, a 1998 defense deal inked by Manila and Washington to allow US forces to join military drills in the Philippines without the need to secure passport and visa.

However, Duterte on June 1 last year ordered the suspension of VFA termination for six months “in light of political and other developments in the region.”

The Philippines extended in November last year the suspension of VFA abrogation for another six months.

On Feb. 8, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Philippine and US officials will meet this month to iron out differences over the VFA.