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MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday demanded that the United States “pay” if it wants to continue its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines.
“I would like to let you know if there is an American agent here that from now on, wants the Visiting Forces Agreement to be made? Well, you have to pay, ”Duterte said in his speech at the inspection of the newly delivered air assets at Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga.
“It is a shared responsibility, but their share of responsibility is not gratuitous because, after all, when war breaks out, we all pay,” he added.
While he is a “friend” of the United States, Duterte regretted that his promises remain intact.
“For the sake of the exigency of the moment requires your presence here, ok na lang ako dyan. But in the past, we asked so much of them and they didn’t give us much, ”Duterte said.
“Until then, I was able to speak with President Trump. Sabi niya what are your requirements? We need the guided rockets. We have been asking for it, we are willing to pay for it, Mr. President. But so far, it’s still up in the air. I think it was delivered in a few weeks, a few months, ”he recalled.
In December, Duterte said he would continue to repeal the VFA if the United States could not provide the Philippines with its Covid-19 vaccines.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines and the United States will meet this month to resolve differences over the VFA.
This, after the Philippines suspended for the second time Duterte’s decision to rescind the pact that provides the legal framework under which US troops can operate on a rotating basis in the Philippines.
EDV
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