APD | The Philippines can unilaterally terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA – Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana today said the Philippines may terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement which the Senate of the Philippines ratified in 1999.

“It is well within the right of the Philippine government to do so it determines that the agreement no longer redounds to our national interest,” added Secretary Lorenzana who was once the country’s military attaché to Washington.

He explained such a termination no longer needs the approval of the Philippine Congress because “all that is required is that notice of termination be served to the US government.”

He said the termination shall take effect 180 days after the date of the notice.

“While maintaining constant consultations with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., I will discuss with the President the various scenarios concerning the possible termination of the VFA and what future actions may be undertaking by the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding this matter,” Secretary Lorenzana concluded.

It will be recalled Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said in a briefing yesterday that the termination process has already began.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)