Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is set to discuss with President Duterte all the scenarios that could happen in cancelling the Philippine’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.
This, as Lorenzana explained that President Duterte can unilaterally cancel the VFA even without the concurrence of at least two thirds of the Senate.
In a statement, Lorenzana said that he is maintaining constant communication with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin before and during a briefing with the President on VFA cancellation.
“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 (Department of National Defense) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) regarding this matter,” said Lorenzana.
As of Friday night, Lorenzana said that the DND and AFP were preparing the points of discussion with the President.
Duterte earlier warned the United States of revoking the VFA if it would not do something about the visa cancellation of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.
The revocation of dela Rosa’s visa appeared to be a consequence of the US implementation of the Global Magnitsky Act which is aimed at running after those allegedly engaged in massive violation of human rights.
Duterte has long been criticized for the brutal drug war that left more than 6,000 suspected drug personalities killed in police operations and thousands more through drug war-inspired vigilante type of killing.
Lorenzana earlier said that Duterte was affected by the visa cancellation since it was done out of the allegations on alleged extra-judicial killings in connection with the drug war.
“It is a direct affront to PRRD being the architect of the drug war that he started upon his assumption of office. He ordered Bato, then the newly installed Chief PNP (Philippine National Police) to launch the drug war and enjoined the entire PNP to do their duties and pledged to would back them up,” said Lorenzana.
“That he would take responsibility for their official actions. That he would go to prison for them. He is just being true to his promise,” he added.
The Philippine military has long been enjoying the assistance of the US on internal security operations especially in Mindanao.
And amid legal question on whether or not Duterte could cancel that himself, Lorenzana said the President could.
“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,” said Lorenzana.
“Such a termination does not need the approval of the Philippine Congress. 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,” he added. (Aaron Recuenco)
