MANILA, Philippines—The abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement in the light of the killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude will have a backlash on the minimum credible defense that the military is working on, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Tuesday.
“Let us not forget that the VFA is a component of our overall defense strategy and its abrogation now will have an adverse effect on the minimum credible defense posture that we are working hard to achieve,” he told reporters.
The VFA allows US troops to conduct joint military exercises with the Philippines. The US Marine suspected of killing Laude, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, was part of the Phiblex (Amphibious Landing Exercises) held here recently. He was on a furlough when he allegedly committed the crime.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. FILE PHOTO
“It is a work in progress and we should not hastily throw it into the trash bin before it has truly proven its worth,” Gazmin said.
“The Laude case has shown that the Philippines and the US are willing to cooperate fully with each other within the terms of the agreement. Both sides have also shown their respect for the sensitivities of one another over this incident. That is the VFA at work,” he added.
VFA review
Gazmin said he is open for a review of the VFA in order to “fine-tune” some issues in jurisdiction such as the cases of US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith and Pemberton.
Smith was convicted of raping a Filipina in 2006 but was later acquitted. Throughout the trial, he was with the US embassy.
Pemberton, meanwhile, is detained at Camp Aguinaldo but remained under US custody.
“[I am] open for the review para ma fine tune ang discussion ng issues ang problema dyan — jurisdiction at custody ng mga nasa kaso. In the case of Smith and Pemberton yun ang issue. Pag naayos yun I don’t think magkakaroon pa ng problema siguro konti na lang,” Gazmin said.
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