AFP will abide by Duterte’s decision on VFA

November 5, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the military will abide by the decision of the President on the abrogation of the country's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

"We will abide fully by the final guidance of the President as regards the VFA," said Major General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman.

The AFP issued its statement amid the recent announcement of Malacanang that President Rodrigo Duterte is in "no immediate rush" to abrogate the VFA and may postpone the termination of the agreement for another six months.

"From the perspective of AFP, the Visiting Forces Agreement translates to joint and interoperability training opportunities to benefit both the Philippines and the United States of America," said Arevalo.

"This is in furtherance of the existing Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 that still has force and effect," he added. Robina Asido/DMS