Goodbye G.I Joe!
This as Philippine government finally sent the notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to the United States government on Tuesday ending the RP-US military strategic alliance that brought in the joint “Balikatan” military exercises in the Philippine shores in the past years.
The VFA is still in effect for six months after its abrogation with no assurance for its review.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. have signed the notice of termination and sent it to the US government, said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
Locsin issued the notice of termination despite his earlier plea for the review of the VFA instead of its termination.
He warned of the far-reaching consequences particularly on matters of security if the Philippines government were to terminate the VFA. The mutual cooperation between the RP and US militaries serves as a deterrent to external threats. Both militaries conduct 300 joint military activities yearly.
Locsin said: “The continuance of the agreement is deemed to be more beneficial to the Philippines compared to any benefits were it to be terminated.”
The RP-US “Balikatan” military exercises brought in US military hardware in the country. Military exercises are held in the former US-run Clark Air Base and elsewhere during the military activities that mostly benefitted the Philippine government.