Philippines Says US Visiting Forces Agreement to Remain in Effect
Voice of America
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Philippines says it has fully restored a major security agreement with the United States, with President Rodrigo Duterte retracting his intention to terminate the Philippines-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) late Thursday.
Filipino Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana told reporters at a news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday that Duterte, after his meeting with Austin, retracted the VFA termination letter sent to the U.S. last year. “This provides us some degree of certainty going forward, so we can plan further in advance,” Austin told reporters. “And with that long-range planning, we can actually do more comprehensive exercises.” Secretary Lorenzana said he was unsure why Duterte had reversed the decision, but he welcomed the president's move.FILE- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sandalwood paste and vermilion applied on his forehead during the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor in Varanasi, India, Dec. 13, 2021. FILE - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on the country's Independence Day in New Delhi, India, Aug. 15, 2014. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets during the unveiling of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party’s election manifesto in New Delhi, India, April 14, 2024.
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