{"id":244835,"date":"2020-02-13T19:18:27","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T00:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=244835"},"modified":"2020-02-13T19:18:27","modified_gmt":"2020-02-14T00:18:27","slug":"ph-gains-uss-respect-on-vfa-termination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2020\/02\/13\/ph-gains-uss-respect-on-vfa-termination\/","title":{"rendered":"PH gains US\u2019s respect on VFA termination"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Trump, nevertheless, said he has a \u201cvery good\u201d relationship with Duterte, and stressed that he is still unsure of what will happen next. (PCOO file photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MANILA<\/strong>\u00a0— The Philippines has gained respect from the United States (US) following the termination of the Visiting of Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries, Malaca\u00f1ang said on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement a day after US President Donald Trump said it was fine with him that President Rodrigo Duterte ended the Philippines\u2019 22-year-old military agreement with the US.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Panelo said in a Palace press briefing when asked if Manila gains Washington\u2019s respect after VFA\u2019s revocation. \u201cHow? By terminating it, we show them that we do not need them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The termination of VFA, which was signed in February 1998, will take effect 180 days following the receipt of formal notice sent by the Philippines to the US on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

According to the transcript of his remarks uploaded on the official website of the White House, Trump viewed Duterte\u2019s latest action as a welcome development since the US will \u201csave a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t mind. If they would like to do that, that\u2019s fine. We\u2019ll save a lot of money,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n

Trump, nevertheless, said he has a \u201cvery good\u201d relationship with Duterte, and stressed that he is still unsure of what will happen next.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens. They\u2019ll have to tell me that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Panelo said the Palace respects Trump\u2019s response to Duterte\u2019s abrogation of Manila\u2019s VFA with Washington.<\/p>\n

He, however, expressed doubts over the seriousness of Trump\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe statements of Mr. Trump, we do not know exactly whether he was very serious (about) that. You must remember that the VFA and other treaties are there precisely because of the global, strategic, defensive positioning of the United States,\u201d Panelo said.<\/p>\n

Panelo said Trump seemed to have agreed with Duterte that it is about time for the Philippines to boost its defense capabilities sans the help of other countries like its long-time ally, the US.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he (Trump) agrees with the position of the President that it is time that we stand on our own resources and defend our country from enemies of the state by ourselves and not rely on the help of other countries. We weaken ourselves if we keep on being (a) parasite to any of the countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Disadvantageous to PH<\/strong><\/p>\n

US Defense chief Mark Esper considered the Philippines\u2019 move as an \u201cunfortunate,\u201d but Panelo viewed it as a \u201cmove in the right direction\u201d that should have been done a \u201clong time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Panelo said Duterte\u2019s stance to rescind VFA \u201cremains unchanged.\u201d<\/p>\n

He insisted that VFA is disadvantageous to Filipino troops since it only favors American forces who are visiting the Philippines.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut on the part of the President, this is the time to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement to stress the point that one, it is not advantageous to us. Because the more we rely on them, the more our position weakens and stagnate our defenses,\u201d Panelo said.<\/p>\n

Visiting US military personnel can use their permits and licenses in the Philippines, according to VFA. They can also fly to the host country without passport and visa restrictions.<\/p>\n

Possible EDCA, MDT abrogation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Panelo also floated the possibility that Duterte might also revoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington.<\/p>\n

MDT aims to boost the defense and security cooperation between the two countries\u2019 troops, while EDCA intends to boost military ties in maritime security and domain.<\/p>\n

Panelo based his remarks on Duterte\u2019s \u201cbody language\u201d and pronouncement of strengthening the Philippines\u2019 defense capabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, to be consistent with his stand, then all treaties must go, by the tone of his body language.\u00a0Kasi \u2018pag sinabi mong<\/em>\u00a0(Because if you said) we have to stand on our own, not rely on,\u00a0ibig sabihin, hindi natin kailangan<\/em>\u00a0(meaning, we don\u2019t need them). We\u2019ll have to strengthen our own resources,\u201d he said, referring to MDT and EDCA.<\/p>\n

Apart from MDT and EDCA, the Philippines\u2019s existing military pact with the US includes the 1947 Military Assistance Agreement, which seeks to give advice and training to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the joint US Military Assistance Group.<\/p>\n

No VFAs with other states<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following VFA\u2019s termination, Panelo said Duterte is not bent on entering into another VFA with other countries.<\/p>\n

His statement came after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said the military will be pushing for military cooperation arrangements with other nations, including China, to fill the possible security gaps with the revocation of VFA with the US.<\/p>\n

Panelo said the AFP should defer to the President\u2019s pronouncement that the Philippines will stand on its own and avoid relying on other countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cSabi niya<\/em>\u00a0(Duterte said), \u2018It\u2019s about time we stand on our own,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cThe moment he makes the position, then the AFP will have to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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