Duterte Ends US Troops Agreement

Written by imoney

After 20 years, Philippines is officially terminating its visiting forces agreement with the United States.

President Rodrigo Duterte has officially directed his foreign minister to give formal notice to the United States on the termination of the visiting forces agreement (VFA).

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo informed the press that Duterte had given the order through his executive secretary to direct the Foreign Affairs Secretary Tedoro Locsin, Jr. to send the notice of termination to the US government on February 10.

According to Panelo, the order will take effect in 180 days.

The VFA signed over two decades ago allows the US to station their troops on rotation in the Philippines for military exercises and humanitarian operations.

The agreement had previously courted controversy for its loose monitoring of visa and passport regulations for visiting American troops and lack of local jurisdiction over US military personnel when it comes to law enforcement and crminial prosecution.

The VFA was ratified by the Philippine’s Senate on May 27, 1999.

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