Philippines again suspends scrapping of VFA troop pact with US, amid South China Sea tensions, Covid-19 vaccine donations

https://archive.vn ^ | 6/14/2021 | Reuteurs

[RomanSoldier19]

The Philippines has for the third time suspended a decision to scrap a two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, its foreign minister said on Monday, amid a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said the suspension would be for a further six months while President Rodrigo Duterte “studies, and both sides further address his concerns regarding, particular aspects of the agreement”.

The Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States, and several military agreements are dependent on the VFA, which provides rules for the rotation of thousands of US troops in and out of the Philippines for war drills and exercises.

Duterte last year notified Washington he was cancelling the deal, which came amid outrage over a senator and ally being denied a US visa. The pact would have ended in August had Duterte not extended its life for a third time

[RomanSoldier19]

[Larry Lucido]

I’d be tempted to tell Duterte “time’s up.”

But Biden probably doesn’t know who Duterte is/

[CivilWarBrewing]

I’m not so sure Duterte ISN’T working on China’s behalf.. Unknown at this point. China’s INTERNAL influence within the Philippines is worrying as well, just as it is within the United States.

[Mariner]

We need two large bases in the PI. The northern Luzon AFB base formerly known as Clark is a strategic asset, and something China could otherwise easily seize. Subic bay is a deep water port that can accommodate and replenish 20 warships.

Our treaty says we’re entitled.

Or, we don’t have a treaty.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_Defense_Treaty_(United_States%e2%80%93Philippines)

[Chode]

i've still got a handful of Philippine "VICTORY" money dad brought home, maybe it'll be good again someday

[Billthedrill]

...that two-decades-old defence pact between the Philippines and the United States had been revamped to make it “acceptable” and “mutually beneficial” to both countries.

OK, I'll bite. What do we get out of the deal? Because if it's to advance Philippine interests in return for them allowing us to advance Philippine interests, that's not much of an incentive. Pax Americana is a relic of another day.

[Mariner]

“What do we get out of the deal?”

What we USED to get were two strategically dominant bases and control of the South China Sea.

It should again be that way or we should abrogate the treaty.