Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. holds off his position on cancellation of Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.
Locsin instead called for a vigorous review of the VFA during the Senate hearing that tackled resolutions related to the military pact.
READ ALSO: VFA ‘imperfect but essential’ to PHL-US ties – ex-DFA Chief Del Rosario
“There is value in revisiting the VFA to address matters of sovereignty such as jurisdiction and custody and early resumption of clarificatory talks should serve as basis, as well as jump off point for a review of the VFA,” Locsin said.
Locsin underscored the cancellation of VFA would “negatively impact the country’s defense and security arrangements.”
The foreign affairs chief said he already prepared the notice of termination, but it has not been sent upon the orders of the President.
Locsin added that Philippine foreign officials may meet in March with their US counterpart to review the negotiations.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to scrap the two decade long military pact stemmed from the cancellation of US visa of Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa.
SEE ALSO: PH to start termination process of VFA
