In a press briefing with Lorenzana, Austin expresses the US’ affirmative stance on the full restoration of the agreement. The VFA gives US military troops permission to conduct war drills and exercises in the country, while also directing procedures on how both countries may deal with issues arising from the presence of US military elements, albeit overtly biased to the US.

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President Duterte has officially restored the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after having an “open and frank discussion” with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

The President has previously threatened he would abrogate the VFA in February 2020 after Senator Bato dela Rosa was denied his visa application in the United States. This was, however, delayed for three six-month periods. 

Lorenzana stated he is unsure of President Duterte’s motive for abruptly restoring the VFA. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque notes it is for the nation’s core interest, and furthers that the country will “continue to engage other countries for partnerships.” 

In a press briefing with Lorenzana, Austin expresses the US’ affirmative stance on the full restoration of the agreement. The VFA gives US military troops permission to conduct war drills and exercises in the country, while also directing procedures on how both countries may deal with issues arising from the presence of US military elements, albeit overtly biased to the US. 

In 2015, US Marine Joseph Pemberton was tried and convicted for murdering Filipina trans woman Jennifer Laude. The agreement has allowed him to be confined in a facility jointly established by the Philippines and the US, but not in a Philippine prison. Furthermore, President Duterte granted Pemberton absolute pardon in September 2020 despite public denouncement of his heinous crime. 

A similar case happened last December 2005 when US serviceman Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was convicted for raping “Nicole” in a moving van where Smith’s friends reportedly cheered him on. “Nicole” was found lying alone on the side of the road, and Smith alleges the sexual act was “consensual.” Both “Nicole” and Smith met in the former Subic Bay Naval Station. 

Smith was previously sentenced to life imprisonment by the Makati court however, was soon transferred to the US embassy. He was ordered by the High Courts to be moved to a Philippine facility, yet was acquitted by the Court of Appeals (CA) in April 2009. He was allowed to go back to the United States no less than 24 hours after he was set free. 

Austin adds that the full restoration of the pact gives the US a degree to “[certainly] move forward,” especially as the Malacañang expounds the Western giant’s role in its pandemic response, “combating transnational crimes, including the war on drugs, maritime domain awareness, the rule of law, and trade and investments.” He underscores the US’ role in the Philippine government’s counterinsurgency efforts in Mindanao. 

“We can plan further in advance and with that long-range planning, we can actually do more comprehensive exercises,” Austin stated. 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. previously reported in February 2020 that the US has provided $550 million worth of security assistance to the Philippines from 2016-2019, including the intelligence, training, and aid that supports the country’s alleged war on drugs and crackdown on “terrorism.” This has, however, engendered numerous human rights violations, baseless attacks, and extra-judicial killings that have increased and intensified over time. 

President Duterte further exemplifies the US’ role in countering China’s insistence on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute, and their delivery of three million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Malacañang, on this note, expressed the President’s gratitude towards the US  for their “assistance.”  

However, League of Filipino Students (LFS) asserts he is the country’s primary pimp in selling off the Philippine’s sovereignty to imperialist China, especially allowing them entry to the WPS without any clear attempts of defending the country’s sovereignty. . 

“Sabay niyang ibinebenta ang soberanya ng Pilipinas sa parehong Estados Unidos at Tsina para protektahan ang kanyang pansariling pulitikal na interes lagpas pa sa 2022,” LFS stated. 

(He is simultaneously selling the sovereignty of the Philippines to both the US and China to protect his selfish interests exceeding 2022.) 

After consistently going back on his decision to terminate the VFA, the President’s decision to restore the pact was allegedly influenced by Austin’s visit to the country, Al Jazeera reports. Roque maintained that the alliance can be “strengthened through enhanced communication and greater cooperation.” 

Meanwhile, LFS firmly underscores that the VFA, Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), and other unfair agreements and treaties made between the US and the Philippines, such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows US troops to establish barracks and warehouses in the country, makes the Philippines remain incapacitated. State forces are heavily dependent on the perceived “assistance” given by the US. 

“Magsisilbi lamang ang Visiting Forces Agreement upang magpapasok ng tropang Amerikanong bitbit ang bilyong inutang na kagamitang pandigma na itututok lamang nito sa mamamayang Pilipinong lumalaban para sa ating demokratikong karapatan at panawagan,” LFS stated. 

(The VFA will only serve to permit entry to American troops as they bring with them billions worth of indebted weapons only to be used against the Filipino masses who are fighting for our democratic rights and calls.) 

LFS further calls for immediate collective action to defend the national sovereignty from any backhanded attempts of the US to undermine it, and to organize in demanding for the junking of the VFA. 

Featured image courtesy of US Naval Institute News and Michael Varcas; edited by Jewel Christopher Politico