House minority leader backs VFA abrogation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines does not have any benefits from the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. said Wednesday.

As a powerful country, Abante said it is the United States that benefits more from the military agreement, which is now a step closer from being officially terminated after the Philippine government has sent its notice of termination to the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday.

“Kaming minority, we agree to disagree pero ako po—not for the reason that the President would like to abrogate the VFA—pero sa akin pong dahilan ay wala naman pakinabang ang ating bansa dyan sa VFA,” Abante said in a press briefing.

“The advantages would be more on the Americans than the Filipinos,” he added.

Duterte earlier threatened to scrap the VFA if the United States will not “rectify” the revocation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa.

On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin confirmed that the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy has received the notice of termination.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said that Duterte will not entertain any move by the United States government to save the VFA.

The VFA took effect in 1999 and covers the conduct of visiting American soldiers in the Philippines and serves as a foundation for military exercises between the Philippines and the US.

Meanwhile, some members of the House also expressed their positions on the matter.

Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon, who serves as vice-chairperson of the House committee on national defense and security, said that now the notice of termination has been finalized, the Philippine government must focus on preparing for the security gaps as a result of the termination of the agreement.

“There may be a need for the Philippines to revise its defense and security strategies and plans to determine the appropriate adjustments in terms of deployment of military assets, appropriation of resources, engagement with foreign counterparts and regional military alliances,” Biazon said in a statement.

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite, meanwhile, urged the Palace to also abrogate the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States.

“As the overarching agreement that ties us to the United States militarily, the Mutual Defense Treaty must also go. For years, this agreement has always put us in danger of being involved in the numerous wars of aggression that the United States continuously launched,” Gaite said.

The termination of the VFA is effective 180 days after the United States government’s receipt of the notice.

Edited by MUF