Philippines again suspends scrapping of troop pact with US

US military forces cross a flooded area near the shore during the annual Philippines-US amphibious landing exercise (PHIBLEX) at San Antonio, Zambales province, in the Philippines on Oct 7, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines has for thethird time suspended a decision to scrap a two-decade-old Visiting ForcesAgreement (VFA) with the US.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsinsaid on June 14 that the suspension would be for a further six months whilePresident Rodrigo Duterte "studies, and both sides further address hisconcerns regarding, particular aspects of the agreement.”

The President terminated the agreement in February2020. The termination process, however, was suspended in June last year. ThePhilippine government again held off the suspension in November 2020.

Signed in 1998, the VFA provides the legal frameworkfor the presence of American troops in the Philippines as they conduct jointmilitary exercises./.

VNA