MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ cancellation of its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States will affect the country’s security and military modernization, Vice President Leni Robredo’s camp said Sunday.
Robredo’s spokesperson, Atty. Barry Gutierrez, pointed out how the US has been helping train the Philippines’ armed forces.
“Mayroon iyang implikasyon sa ating seguridad bilang isang bansa,” Gutierrez said in Robredo’s Sunday radio program Biserbisyong Leni.
(This has an implication in the security of our country.)
“Nakasalalay diyan, halimbawa, iyong isang malaking bahagi ng modernization ng ating armed forces, iyong mga joint exercises na ginagawa natin with US, iyong ating ongoing na training para sa ating mga opisyal na nagpupunta sa America — lahat iyan mayroong implications,” he added.
(Dependent on that, for instance, is the huge part of the armed forces’ modernization, those joint exercises with the US, those ongoing training of officials in America — all of that has implications.)
The process of VFA’s termination started Friday, January 24, upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang has confirmed.
The President earlier threatened to terminate the bilateral pact should the U.S. fail to “correct” the cancellation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa.
“Madaming mga nagki-criticize sa ibang mga probisyon ng VFA, unequal daw, etc., sa akin, kung ganoon ang pananaw, okay na pag-aralan at tutukan doon sa ganoong anggulo,” Gutierrez said.
(There are some criticisms that the VFA has unequal provisions, etc. For me, if that’s the perspective, then it should be studied and reviewed on that angle.)
“Pero huwag doon sa personal na parang, ‘di ba, dahil binawi iyong visa ng isang Senador, mag-aalburoto naman tayo at tatapusin natin itong ganitong klaseng kasunduan na may mas malaking implikasyon para sa ating bansa,” he added.
(But not on a personal angle. Just because a senator’s visa had been canceled, we will end an agreement like this, which has a huge implication in our country.)