By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
The Philippine government has notified the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines of its decision to suspend termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement. But the suspension will only be
In the Twitter post of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., he said, “I issued this diplomatic note to the US ambassador. It has been received by Washington and well at that. The Note is self-explanatory and does not require comment except from me.”
https://twitter.com/teddyboylocsin/status/1267786798731628545?s=20
In the tweet of the DFA Chief, he attached the document detailing the diplomatic note to the government of the United States of America through the US Embassy, “that in light of political and other developments in the region” the termination of the bilateral military agreement as initiated by the Philippines “is hereby suspended.”
As this developed, 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 US Embassy issued a statement and acknowledged the notice of suspension of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement:
“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 US Embassy in Manila said in a statement released shortly after the DFA’s chief’s tweet.
As background, the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement started last January 23 when Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa US visa was canceled. This prompted Duterte to ask US government not to cancel the US visa of his political ally or he will rescind the Visiting Forces Agreement. But the actual pull out of the Philippines from the defense agreement happened on February 11.
