[ad_1]
PRESIDENT Duterte extended the suspension of the repeal of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for another six months, according to the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Teodoro Locsin Jr.
“My president, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, has instructed me to transmit, with the appropriate formality, his decision to extend the suspension of the repeal of the Visiting Forces Agreement for another six months,” Locsin said in a video statement on the Mabini room. from the Department of Foreign Relations (DFA) on Wednesday.
The decision to extend the suspension of the military pact for six more months came immediately after the election of Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Suspension of VFA termination for another six months equals one full year.
Locsin first announced the suspension of the abrogation on June 2, 2020, which means that the abrogation should have taken effect on December 1, 2020.
“If the suspension is not extended beyond the first six months, it will take effect 69 days after December 1, 2020. If the Philippines extends the suspension for another 6 months, the VFA rescission will take effect 69 days after December 1, 2020. June 2021 “. the DFA said in a statement.
“We continue to discuss with our US counterparts the best options and the way forward to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States,” the statement added.
Locsin said a second extension of the suspension of the VFA termination process will allow officials in Manila and Washington “to find a more improved, mutually beneficial, mutually acceptable, more effective and lasting agreement on how to advance our mutual defense.”
Locsin said the extension of the VFA guarantees the security provided by the military agreement in the South China Sea.
“Long live the friendship and alliance between the Philippines and the United States,” Locsin said in a statement addressed to the White House national security adviser, Robert O’Brien.
President Duterte initially scrapped the VFA on February 11, 2020, but decided to extend it for six months, from June 2 to the end of the year, after China continued its aggressive behavior in the disputed waters even as the Covid- pandemic. 19 was underway. an uproar that forced all nations to devote attention and resources to defeating the virus.
Locsin addressed his statement to O’Brien, who said a diplomatic note was sent about the extension to the United States.
Locsin, who previously warned of the far-reaching consequences associated with the termination of the VFA, said the further extension of the VFA provided more security on the volatile waterway.
After the Philippines announced its first extension of the VFA, Locsin said the “protagonists” in the South China Sea welcomed the stability brought by the measure.
“Much of the credit for the renewal of stability and security is due to the skillful diplomacy, the unequivocal expressions of policy, the firm stances of force combined with unwavering tact, and the pragmatic national security advice displayed by our two governments in the same period, “he said. .
