PH does not need VFA indefinitely, says defense chief Lorenzana

MANILA, Philippines -Defense Secretary  Delfin  Lorenzana  on Thursday said the Philippines does not need the  Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)  with the United States “indefinitely.”

Lorenzana voiced his opinion during the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs  on the government’s plan to  terminate the VFA.

Senator  Richard Gordon asked Lorenzana if it would be in the country’s interest to cancel the VFA now.

“I think our long term  interest is to be self sufficient in our defense, we should have  at least  a minimum deterrent  capability,” Lorenzana replied.

“Now whether we need  the VFA  indefinitely, I think we don’t  need  the VFA indefinitely.  We should use the interim to build  up our capabilities,” he added.

The Senate hearing on the  VFA was prompted  by President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to end the  VFA  after the US  revoked Senator  Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa.

Duterte orders start of VFA termination process—Palace

Dela Rosa was Philippine National Police chief when the Duterte administration  launched its brutal war on illegal  drugs.

GSG