Duterte turns down reported US plan to return to Subic

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives Complex in Quezon City on July 27, 2020. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday rejected the reported plan of the United States to return to its former naval base in Subic Bay.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address, Duterte recalled reading news reports from weeks ago that the US intends to return to its former naval base here in the Philippines.

However, the President appeared to be reluctant to allow Americans back in the country, saying that US bases will put Filipinos in “extinction” should a nuclear war breaks out.

“Kaya ‘yang maglagay lagay ka ng [That’s why when you put] base at this time, this will ensure, if war breaks out because there would be atomic arsenal brought in, this will ensure the extinction of the Filipino race,” Duterte said.

Subic Bay was one of the largest US naval facilities in the world before it was shut down in 1992 when the Philippine Senate terminated the bases agreement with Washington.

Duterte earlier this year ordered the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US. However, the termination was halted in June amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The VFA, which was ratified by the Senate in 1999, governs the conduct of US troops who take part in military exercises in the Philippines.

JPV

RELATED STORIES:

More businesses to operate in Subic Freeport as SBMA adopts MECQ

Philippine Navy mulls putting up a detachment on Fuga Island 

PH, US, Japan naval troops start military drills at Subic Bay