Philippines delays scrapping of US visiting forces agreement
CNN
The Philippines has again suspended a decision to scrap a crucial agreement governing the US troop presence in the country, its foreign minister said on Monday, amid continuing maritime pressure from China.
The Pentagon welcomed the announcement from Manila -- the third suspension of the decision covering the two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that had been due to expire in August -- but analysts said there would be disappointment in both countries that it was not renewed. Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin said the suspension would be for a further six months while President Rodrigo Duterte "studies, and both sides further address his concerns regarding, particular aspects of the agreement."
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