PH-US alliance makes Duterte reconsider VFA: Palace

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to recall the termination of the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) on the ground of the two nations’ respect for their partnership being “sovereign equals,” Malacañang said on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement, the same day when Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced Duterte’s move to retract the abrogation of VFA following his meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Thursday.

“PRRD’s (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) decision to recall the abrogation of VFA is based on upholding PH strategic core interests, the clear definition of PH-US alliance as one between sovereign equals, and clarity of US position on its obligations and commitments under MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty),” Roque said in a statement.

Roque was referring to the 1951 MDT that aims to step up the defense and security cooperation between the US and Philippine troops.

Duterte ordered the VFA’s revocation in February 2020.

The controversial military pact was supposed to be officially scrapped in August last year, but its termination was suspended for three six-month periods.

The latest was in June this year when Duterte decided anew to extend the VFA’s validity for six more months.

Lorenzana said the Philippines would continue to hold negotiations with the US to revisit the VFA.

The VFA, a 1998 defense deal between Manila and Washington, allows American forces to enter the Philippines sans passport and visa to allow them to participate in joint military drills in the host country.

The two countries are currently holding talks to come up with a “side agreement” that will serve as an addendum to the VFA.

During a meeting at Malacañang, Duterte and Austin agreed that “enhanced communication and greater cooperation” can further boost Manila and Washington’s alliance, the Palace said.

Despite the latest development, Roque said the Philippines would continue to engage other countries for “partnerships that work based on our core national interests.”

‘Back on track’

In a joint press conference with Austin, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said military exercises between Manila and Washington DC are now “back on track”.

“Last night after the meeting between Secretary Austin and (the) President (Rodrigo R. Duterte), after Secretary Austin left Malacanang, the President decided to recall or retract the termination letter for the VFA, so the VFA is in full force again, there is no termination letter. We are back on track, Mr. Secretary to plan for future exercises under the VFA, thank you,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana also said there is nothing to restore in the VFA as the original documents are still there.

“What happened was there was this termination letter that was submitted by the Philippines to the United States informing the (United) States that this treaty, agreement will (be) terminated in six months which the president extended several times but later has been retracted so I think happened and the VFA will continue, now regards to custody of people, I think that’s one of the side agreements that had been in work by both sides and it will not affect the original document,” he added.

Prior to the recall of the VFA’s termination, Lorenzana said both the US and the Philippines as long-standing allies and friends are committed to shared goals of regional peace and security.

Meanwhile, Austin said the US continues to stand with the Philippines during this difficult time.

“I am privileged to be here during my first visit to the Philippines as Secretary of Defense and I’m glad to have the opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to the US-Philippines alliance,” the US defense chief added.

Austin also said the Philippines is a valuable treaty ally.

“This year we mark our (75th anniversary of our) diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of our Mutual Defense Treaty so, especially this time to work together to advance our already robust defense cooperation and on behalf of the US, let me thank President Duterte for his decision to fully restore the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he added.

As both countries continue to face a range of challenges from the climate crisis to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Austin said a strong, resilient, US-Philippine alliance is vital to the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

“A fully restored VFA will help us achieve that goal together. I’m especially grateful for our long-standing US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement which enabled us to respond swiftly and seamlessly to disasters,” he added.

Austin said the VFA made possible the conduct of more than 300 annual bilateral engagements with the Armed Forces of the Philippines from expert exchanges to ship visits, to component exercises and major training exercises such as Balikatan.

“And you know Balikatan being shoulder-to-shoulder in Tagalog, and that’s exactly how we hope our alliance will (be in the) future,” he added.