Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) — The American government was “very happy” with President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to suspend the abrogation of Manila’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Washington, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Babe Romualdez.
“The US government, especially the US military establishments, is very pleased with this development that the President has extended it for another six months,” Romualdez said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. announced the extension last week. Duterte’s decision came after Philippine and US officials handed him an “improved” version of the agreement.
“As you know, both countries have sat down to different panels and we’ve had – I wouldn’t really call it negotiations but clarifications on the terms of agreement which was completed. Sabi ni Presidente, gusto niya pag-aralan ‘yun (The President said he wants to study these),” Romualdez said.
The VFA lays out the legal framework for the presence of American soldiers in the country as they hold joint military exercises.
The chief executive initially terminated the agreement in February last year but suspended the termination process in June. He then held off the abrogation again in November.
“We’re hoping that it will be perhaps better than it ever was in terms of the kind of agreement that we have with them and that it will be mutually beneficial for both our militaries,” Romualdez said.
