House leader urges Duterte to maintain VFA

MANILA – Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez on Friday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to maintain the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.

Rodriguez said he believes that most Filipinos not only support the agreement but also want the government to strengthen the Philippine-US relations.

“Our people have a natural affinity with America, not only because of our decades of partnership but also because of our close cultural and social ties,” he said. “America is also home for millions of Filipinos.”

Rodriguez noted that despite the Duterte administration’s foreign policy pivot to China, Filipinos consider the US as a more reliable ally in all aspects of foreign relations.

“In contrast, they do not trust the Chinese, especially in the wake of their aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea and inside our 200-mile exclusive economic zone, most of which Beijing illegally claims as part of its territorial waters,” he said.

He supported the President’s suggestion that the United States should extend more military and economic assistance to the Philippines in the event the VFA is maintained.

“It’s a reasonable proposal. The President wants fair treatment, comparable to what America is giving its other allies in this part of the world,” Rodriguez said.

In a public address delivered Wednesday night, Duterte admitted that he could not decide whether to enforce or suspend anew the termination of VFA.

Duterte also said he wants to hear Filipinos’ comments on or objections to VFA.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte’s decision on VFA would be based on public sentiment.

“I guess he is trying to hear the people’s sentiment and on that basis, he will also consider the people’s sentiment in whatever decision he will take,” he said.

Initially, Duterte asked the US to “pay” first before he reconsiders his decision to revoke the VFA, saying there is a need to give the Philippines something in return since it is the “nearest, possible and convenient outpost” near China.

On Feb. 11, 2020, Duterte scrapped the VFA, a 1998 defense deal inked by Manila and Washington to allow US troops to participate in military drills in the Philippines without the need to secure a passport and visa.

However, Duterte ordered on June 1, 2020 the suspension of VFA revocation for six months “in light of political and other developments in the region”.

The Philippines and US officials are expected to meet this month to iron out differences over the VFA.