Philippines Extends U.S. Military Deal by Another Six Months

(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines will keep in place a key military deal with the U.S. that President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to terminate.

Duterte is extending for another six months the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement “while he studies and both sides further address his concerns regarding particular aspects of the agreement,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said in a video.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued a statement in support of the move, adding the additional review period would help Duterte “arrive at an informed decision on the matter.”

“Our bilateral cooperation with the U.S. is geared towards upholding our national interest and to the extent necessary to enhance the Philippines’ defense capability,” he said.

The Philippines in February 2020 notified the U.S. that it would terminate the pact, which has governed military cooperation between the two countries since 1998. It’s key to implementing a mutual defense treaty signed in 1951, shortly after the Philippines achieved independence from the U.S.

Duterte also extended the stay order in November. Politicians in the Philippines have already started maneuvering ahead of a presidential election next year in which policy toward the U.S. and China is expected to remain a key issue.

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