Lorenzana on VFA: PH can unilaterally cancel it

The Philippines as a party to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States of America (USA) can unilaterally cancel the said agreement, this according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

"The termination of the VFA may be unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, and it is well within the right of the Philippine government to do so if it determines that the agreement no longer redounds to our national interest," Lorenzana said

The Defense Secretary said there is no need for the concurrence of the Philippine Congress on this matter.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
(photo credit to owner)

"All that is required is that a notice of termination be served to the US government. The termination shall take effect 180 days after the date of the notice," Lorenzana added.

"While maintaining constant consultations with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, I will discuss with the President the various scenarios concerning the possible termination of the VFA and what future actions may be undertaken by the DND and AFP(Armed Forces of the Philippines) regarding this matter," Lorenzana said.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte threatened the US that he will cancel the VFA between the two mutual defense ally if the cancellation of the US visa of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa is not corrected in a month.

Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief who implemented the administration’s drug war.

A few senators have been criticizing the governments crackdown on illegal drugs which they say have resulted to violation of human rights, plus the fact that they believe opposition senator Leila De Lima has been illegally detained.

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Report from PNA

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