US President Donald Trump said he would not mind if the Philippine government has decided to end the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, Reuters reported.
When Trump asked about Duterte’s action, he replied, “I don’t really mind if they would like to do that, it will save a lot of money.”
“My views are different from others,” he added.
Trump has issued statements in the past of his desire to bring US military forces home from deployments abroad.
He has also strong-armed some allies into paying more for the right to US defense.
The US President also acknowledged that the Philippine government has its share of fighting Islamic State militants.
Trump, however, seemed confident that US-Philippine relations will not be affected.
He said he had “a very good” relationship with Duterte and added: “We’ll see what happens.”
Duterte on Tuesday announced the termination of a two-decade-old military pact with the United States, which will take effect in 180 days.
Duterte raised the issue terminating the VFA last month after the US canceled the visa of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
RELATED STORY: BREAKING: PH formally terminates Visiting Forces Agreement with the US
In a speech in San Isidro, Leyte, Duterte said he would do away with the VFA if the US does not correct the matter involving Dela Rosa’s visa.
His decision garnered mixed reactions from legislators, security analysts and progressive groups.
US State Assistant Secretary Clarke Cooper said the VFA provided a framework on joint military exercises and bilateral engagements between the Philippines and the US.
“Absent that agreement, we do put at risk those activities that the different defenses, the different services in the Philippines very much value,” Cooper explained.
Security analyst and international relations expert Professor Rommel Banlaoi inferred that the administration’s decision to end the VFA could possibly be influenced by a changed outlook about China.
“If you focus on the visa of Bato and about China, you’re just looking at the surface. There are deeper considerations on why he terminated the deal. One consideration is we want to redefine our relationship not only with the United States but also with other powers,” he said.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has signed and delivered the notice of termination of the Philippines’ VFA with the United States on Tuesday.
Locsin made the confirmation on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, adding that the US government has already received the notice.
READ MORE: Trump tried to save the VFA, says Duterte
READ MORE:Dela Rosa ‘bothered’ that he was the cause of VFA termination
