The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it would abide by President Rodrigo Duterte’s final decision on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
“We will abide fully by the final guidance of the President as regards the VFA.
From the perspective of AFP, the Visiting Forces Agreement translates to joint and interoperability training opportunities to benefit both the Philippines and the United States of America,” AFP spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.
“This is in furtherance of the existing Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 that still has force and effect,” Arevalo added.
Malacañang has announced that it is possible that President Rodrigo Duterte will postpone the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA termination with the United States.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement a day after Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon proposed to extend the postponement of the VFA termination due to the ongoing US presidential election.
“Kung gusto natin ng elbow room, an extension of the suspension would be the choice given na mayroong possibility ng bagong administration na papasok sa America,” said Biazon.
Incumbent President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are running for office.
AFP to follow Duterte’s decision on VFA abrogation
According to Biazon, if there is new leadership in America, it is also possible that there will be a change in the foreign policy of that country.
“Kung ie-extend lang natin ‘yong suspension, then we have the elbow room whether to, later on, push through with the termination or baka itong period na ito na magkaroon ng elections, it would become an opportunity for the Philippines to negotiate for terms that it deems better,” said Biazon, vice chairman of House Committee on National Defense.
Apart from this, the Supreme Court will also have more time to decide on the Senate petition on whether the senators’ vote is still needed before terminating the VFA, which is considered a treaty, which passed through the Upper House.
“Ang alam ko rin wala pang action ang Supreme Court whether to even issue an order to put everything in suspension. As I understand it, noong nag-issue ng suspension of termination ‘yong Philippine government, in effect ulit ‘yong VFA,” the lawmaker said.