Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Thursday that the Philippines expects to settle issues concerning the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States under the administration of US President Joe Biden.
According to Romualdez, a bilateral dialog between the security forces of the Philippines and the US is planned.
“I’m quite confident na lahat ng mga issues sa ting visiting forces, mare-resolve yan. In fact, may planned bilateral strategic dialog between our Armed Forces and the Pentagon or the US Armed Forces,” Romualdez said.
“This is a continuing program naman. Every year ‘yan nagmi-meet sila. Lahat ng kung anong gusto ipaalam sa ating mga kaibigan sa America ite-take up nila dun. Tuluy-tuloy ang relasyon lalo na yung security relationshiop,” he added.
In February 2020, the Philippines formally asked for the termination of the VFA with the US after it canceled the visa of Duterte ally Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
In June 2020, DFA Secretary announced the Philippines suspended the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) termination with the United States following the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte.
However, in November, President Rodrigo Duterte extended for another six months to suspend the abrogation of the Visiting Force Agreement (VFA) with the United States amid the continuous tensions in the South China Sea, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
PH expects to resolve VFA issues under Biden admin – envoy
In December, Duterte threatened to continue the VFA termination if the US would not give the Philippines access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Meanwhile, when it comes to issues in the South China Sea, Romualdez said the US under Biden is expected to continue to recognize the arbitral ruling rule won by the Philippines.
“Sinabi na ni Secretary of State-designate Tony Blinken na kilala na natin sinabi niya
na yung kanilang policy towards china will be more or less the same as what the trump administration had,” Romualdez said.
“kanya lang iba yung kanilang approach. There will be cooperation in many other areas pero… for instance, yung sa South China Sea, the US has recognized our arbitral award. So they will continue with that policy,” he added.