VFA termination needs careful thought and professional review

JUST when we thought that President Rodrigo Duterte had stayed the dispatch of a letter of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, we have lately been informed by the Palace spokesman that the President has in fact ordered that the VFA termination notice be posted to the US State Department.

This is troubling for us to learn because we thought the Senate hearing on the issue last February 6 had been most enlightening. Every angle and aspect of the issue was addressed and discussed, and the common conclusion of the senators and executive officials assembled was roughly the same: The VFA is of vital importance to the defense relationship between our two countries, and it contributes significantly to our national security.