Lebanese Ministry of Information
President Rodrigo Duterte, who has openly disapproved of the military alliance, made the decision after an ally’s visa was rescinded
Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, has told his foreign minister to give formal notice to the United States of his termination of a visiting forces agreement (VFA) between their militaries, his spokesman said on Tuesday.
Duterte, who has openly disapproved of the two countries’ military alliance, made the decision after the United States rescinded the visa of one of his close allies, senator Ronald dela Rosa.
“It’s about time we rely on ourselves, we will strengthen our own defences and not rely on any other country,” Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo told a regular briefing, quoting the president.
The VFA, signed in 1998, accorded legal status to thousands of US troops who were rotated in the country for military exercises and humanitarian assistance.
The two countries also have a mutual defence treaty and an enhanced defence cooperation agreement (EDCA), which remain in place.
The Guardian
