Philippines suspends termination of VFA with US

  MANILA – The Philippines has suspended the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, the Foreign Affairs Secretary announced on Tuesday (June 2). Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said that the Philippine government notified the US Embassy of the decision on June 1. “On June 1, the government of the Philippines notified the US Embassy in the Philippines of its decision to suspend termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” the US Embassy said in a statement. “The United States welcomes the Philippine government’s decision. Our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines,” the embassy said. The suspension is valid for six months from June 1 and can be extended by the Philippines for another six months. Earlier this year, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had threatened to withdraw the VFA after one of his allies, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, was denied a visa to the US.

What is the VFA?

The VFA is an agreement signed by the Philippines and the US in 1998 to provide simplified and clear procedures for US service members on official business or bilateral training in the Philippines.

What is the VFA for?

The VFA provides clear procedures and processes on how to handle issues that arise as a result of US service members' presence in the Philippines. It also signals close ties between the US and the Philippines. The primary effect of the VFA is that it allows the US government to retain jurisdiction over US military personnel accused of committing crimes in the Philippines, unless the crimes are "of particular importance to the Philippines". CLM/Expat Media
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