Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Department of National Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana announced on Friday, July 30, that President Rodrigo Duterte decided to retract the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.
President Duterte made the decision after meeting with United States Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin III on Thursday, July 29, at the Malacañang Palace.
"The VFA is in full force again, there is no termination letter. We are back on track," Lorenzana said in a press conference held at the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Austin, who also attended the press briefing, thanked President Duterte for deciding to 'fully restore' the VFA, which allows American troops to enter the Philippines in order to participate in joint military drills even if they lack a passport or a visa.
"I am glad to have the opportunity, in person, to reaffirm our shared commitment to the US-Philippine Alliance. The Philippines is a vital treaty ally, our oldest in Asia, and equal sovereign partner,"Austin said.
"A strong, resilient US-Philippine Alliance will remain vital to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. A fully restored VFA will help us achieve that goal together," he added.
Roque said that the President based his decision on the strategic core interests of the Philippines, the clarity of the United States position of the obligations and commitments of the country under the Mutual Defense Treaty, and the clear definition of the alliance between the two countries as as one between sovereign equals
"PH will, however, continue to engage other countries for partnerships that work, based on our core national interests," Roque said in a statement.
