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Philippines suspends abrogation of defense pact with US
Duterte musta decided China stepping on the PI and Sea was worse... [Army Times] The Philippine president has suspended his decision to terminate a key defense pact with the United States, at least temporarily avoiding a major blow to one of America's oldest alliances in Asia. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Tuesday he dispatched a diplomatic note to the U.S. ambassador in Manila informing the U.S. government that the Philippines is delaying its decision to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement by at least six months. Washington immediately welcomed the move. "Our longstanding alliance has benefited both countries," the U.S. government said in a statement released by its embassy in Manila. "We look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines." President Rodrigo Duterte's administration notified the U.S. government on Feb. 11 that it intends to abrogate the 1998 agreement, which allows the entry of large numbers of American forces for joint combat training with Filipino troops and lays down the legal terms for their temporary stay. The termination would have taken effect after 180 days, in August, unless both sides agreed to keep the agreement. Related: Visiting Forces Agreement: 2020-02-20 If Duterte Wants Us Out, Let's Go Visiting Forces Agreement: 2020-02-09 Philippine president says he will scrap military pact with US Visiting Forces Agreement: 2014-05-27 Philippine court urged to block US defence pact Posted by: Frank G 2020-06-03 |
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