US committed to AFP modernization despite VFA termination, says envoy Romualdez

The United States remains committed to helping the Philippines modernize its military despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Manila’s Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said Wednesday.

Romualdez issued the statement following the US’ proposed sale of attack helicopters and related equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“In spite of the VFA about to be terminated on August 9, I think the United States is very much committed to helping us in terms of our modernization program and they really would like to see us really get as much equipment as possible from the United States para mayroon tayong interoperability in terms of our Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said in a televised briefing.

“There is really no stopping the program that we have in store [for] our military.”

He said the purchase was approved by the President about a year ago.

Duterte had sought the termination of the VFA, which governs the conduct of visiting US personnel holding military exercises in the Philippines, after the US canceled the visa of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, his close ally, reportedly over the former national police chief’s involvement in the deadly war on drugs.

The President also took exception to the US’ alleged interference in the country’s domestic affairs, including the drug war and the imprisonment of his staunch critic Senator Leila De Lima.

“The VFA is really more of a local situation where we have American soldiers coming in; they are protected legally to be in the Philippines. They have this all over the world,” Romualdez said.

“In our case of course, we have terminated that so they’re prepared now for the program, iyong mga Balikatan, mga ganiyan, that will all be either totally removed, cancelled or perhaps on a limited basis, on a case-to-case basis which both government have to agree on.”

Malacañang has repeatedly said the country must strengthen its defense capabilities following the President’s move to end the VFA.

The Palace said that the Philippines should stop being a “parasite” to another country in protecting its independence and sovereignty. — BM, GMA News