1951 MDT will be a ”mere paper treaty” with VFA termination: Lacson

February 11, 2020

Senator Panfilo Lacson Jr on Tuesday said the 1951 PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) will be "reduced to a mere paper treaty" following the signing of the notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

According to Lacson, the government has nothing else to do other than have a 180-day countdown upon receipt of the notice by Washington.

"Having said that, there's no more intelligence information sharing in our fight against domestic and foreign terrorist acts, no more US military aid and financing that accounts for a good 52 percent of what they extend to the whole Asia-Pacific region," he explained in a statement.

Lacson's statement came after the announcement made by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. that the signed notice have been sent to the Embassy of United States.

The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider terminating the VFA while it is being reviewed by the upper chamber.

Under Senate Resolution No. 312, the Senate asked to be given time to review and assess the impact of Duterte's plan "in view of ensuring the continued safety and security of the Philippines and the Asia Pacific and maintain the existing balance of power within the region."

"(A) careful deliberation of these matters must be taken into account before finally arriving at a decision which will ultimately affect not only the security and economy of the Philippines but also that of our neighboring countries in the Asia Pacific region," the resolution added. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS