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PH, US reaffirm commitment to defense treaties

DEFENSE chiefs from the Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment (MDT) to the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and increasing the military interoperability of the two countries.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana spoke by phone with his counterpart Lloyd Austin 3rd on Wednesday (Manila time) for the first time since his appointment by US President Joe Biden and confirmation by the US Senate.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said that the introductory phone call between Lorenzana and Austin involved discussions on the two countries’ bilateral defense relations.

It noted that Austin reaffirmed commitment to Manila and Washington’s alliance through the MDT and the VFA, which was supposed to be abrogated in 2020 but which the government suspended because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Both sides committed to sustain dialogues amidst the pandemic and strengthen cooperation between the two defense establishments. They agreed to meet face-to-face in the future,” the DND said.

In a separate readout, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby laid down the same facts, emphasizing Austin’s commitment to the two countries’ alliance and highlighting the value of VFA to both countries.

“The Secretaries discussed the importance of enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capabilities and increasing interoperability between our two militaries through a variety of bilateral security cooperation activities,” Kirby said.

He also said that several security challenges concerning the two countries have been discussed, including countering terrorism, maritime security, particularly the South China Sea dispute, and upholding the international rules and norms, including the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling win of Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte decided to scrap the VFA last year after the US voided the visa of his staunch ally, Sen. Ronald de la Rosa, over his alleged involvement in human rights violations in the Philippines.

The Philippines sent a termination notice to the US but suspended its enforcement while the two countries discussed the VFA’s fate.


Source: ManilaTimes
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