Posted on 02/12/2020 12:46:09 PM PST by SeekAndFind
MANILA, Philippines Former foreign secretary Albert Del Rosario on Wednesday, February 12, denounced President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to terminate the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, calling it a "national tragedy" that was harmful to Filipinos.
"This continuing shift in foreign policy casting aside a long time reliable ally in favor of an aggressive neighbor that has been blatantly demonstrating its lack of respect for international law is incomprehensible and harmful to our country and our people," Del Rosario said in a statement.
"What is unfolding before us must be considered a national tragedy which should be resisted. It is our earnest hope that this most unfortunate decision to abrogate can be revisited," he added.
Del Rosario had earlier urged Duterte to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss the Philippines' bilateral ties with the US.
He warned the termination of the VFA could likewise "be viewed as ultimately putting an end to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)," which experts viewed was a deterrent to China's expansionist claims in the South China Sea.
The former foreign affairs chief noted it was in thus in the best interests of the Philippines to reconsider its abrogation of the VFA, as he called on Congress and the Supreme Court to assert checks and balances in light of Duterte's decision.
The Chinese are rubbing their hands with glee.
I wonder what role China played in Dueterte’s proclamation??
There is a travel ban to and from China in the Philippines today. When it will be lifted, we don’t know.
$$$$
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Tick-tock-tick-tock.
They have ambitions for the entire South China Sea.
All of their neighbors are worried and moving closer to US, even our former adversary Vietnam.
This makes no sense unless Duterte thinks he’s better off as a Chinese puppet.
Xi told Duterte we have a CoV package for you, airmail and special delivery, unless you trash that agreement.
RE: This makes no sense unless Duterte thinks hes better off as a Chinese puppet.
Duterte has never forgiven the USA and her western allies for criticizing his overly aggressive killings of drug dealers on the streets of the Philippines WITHOUT TRIAL. Just plain execution style. It has been said that close to 10,000 killings have occurred.
China and Russia on the other hand, simply let him have his way.
Previous posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3815492/posts#47 Knew this was going to develop into policy question
China is flat nasty and will slap the Philippines around like a rag doll once the USA is out of the pictures. Worse, China is forever and will be calling the shots. Philippines will only be able to say “yes sir, yes sir, three bags full”.
What about the lost revenue from leaving US military on the
country’s economy?
Lots of Vets retired in country too.
Dutae is still sore over two things.
#1 the US treatment of Muslims in the Philippines-American War, over a century ago, and
#2 Dutae getting denied a US Visit Visa a few decades ago
All the other stuff is just gravy. And there is a lot of other stuff that Winnie Xi Poohs favorite slave is upset over
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