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The United States Embassy in Manila. (Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo)
MANILA, Philippines – The United States on Thursday welcomed the Philippines’ decision to again postpone the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Manila and Washington.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said it will “continue to work closely with the Philippines to strengthen our mutual security ties.”
“The alliance between the United States and the Philippines remains vital to our strong and entrenched bilateral relationship,” he added.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to postpone the suspension of the VFA repeal for another six months.
Locsin said the extension will allow the two sides “to find a more improved, mutually beneficial, mutually acceptable, more effective and lasting agreement on how to advance our mutual defense.”
Duterte first ordered the repeal of the VFA, which governs the conduct of US troops participating in military exercises in the Philippines, in February.
But in June, the CEO decided to postpone the termination of the VFA due to the coronavirus pandemic and “increased tensions between the superpowers.”
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