Philippine president Duterte ends Visiting Forces Agreement with the US

(February 12) The Philippines has officially notified the US that it is scrapping a security pact allowing US forces to train and take part in joint exercises in the country.

Rodrigo Duterte the Philippine president has for some time threatened to move away from the Philippine's long term relationship as a strong ally of the US and turn more towards China.

The visiting forces agreement (VFA)_ was signed in 1998. The VFA accords legal status to thousands of American troops rotated in the country for humanitarian assistance and military exercises. There are dozens of visits taking place annually. Duterte's foreign secretary tweeted that official notice had been given to end the VFA. The notice begins a 180-day waiting period and then the agreement ends.

A Duterte spokesperson, Salvador Penelo quoting Duterte said: “It’s about time we rely on ourselves. We will strengthen our own defences and not rely on any other country.” Throughout his more than three years in office Duterte has often denounced the US for hypocrisy and for treating the Philippines as if it were a dog on a leash. However this is the first time that Duterte has actually scrapped a treaty with the US.

Duterte makes move after US revokes the visa of an ally

Duterte had warned Washington last month that he would cancel the agreement after the US had revoked a travel visa that had been issued to former police chief Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa said the visa had been rescinded over an issue related to the detention of a senator who was a critic of dela Rosa. Dela Rosa had been the top commander of Duterte's war on drugs which killed hundreds if not thousands of drug traffickers.

Trump brushes off Duterte decision

While you might think that Trump would show concern about losing the Philippines as an ally with close military relations with the US, his response was rather nonchalant verging on the positive: "Well I never minded that very much, to be honest. We helped the Philippines very much. We helped them defeat ISIS ... I don't really mind if they would like to do that, it will save a lot of money. My views are different from others." Trump has often been critical of the fact that countries that have US troops in them do not pay the US enough for their upkeep.

Philippines, US to hold naval exercises near Spratlys

This is from AFP.
I guess that this is meant to show those Chinese, Malaysians, and Vietnamese who is boss. The Americans! The Philippine sparrow, maya maya, can tag along flying under the American Eagle.


Philippines, US to hold naval exercises near Spratlys: report
1 day ago

MANILA (AFP) — US and Philippine forces will carry out joint naval exercises off Palawan, the closest major Philippine island to the disputed Spratlys chain in the South China Sea, a report said Saturday.

The joint exercises will begin Monday, Vice Admiral William Douglas Crowder, commander of the US seventh fleet flagship the USS Blue Ridge, told the Philippine Star newspaper.

About four US ships will sail to Palawan, southwest of Manila, for the combined naval war games involving about a thousand US and Filipino sailors, the newspaper said.

The Spratlys, a chain of islands and atolls believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits, are claimed in full or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. All but Brunei have troops posted on some of the islands.

Naval officials told the paper the exercises would be held within the territorial waters of Palawan, away from the Spratlys, which are located off the island's western coast.

Military spokesmen in Manila would not confirm the report.

Philippines: Probe of US closure of hospital

This is from the Daily Tribune. It is events such as this that increase anti-US feeling in the Philippines--although there are plenty of retired US citizens living in the Philippines. However, Filipinos worry in particular about the US military. There are close relationships between the AFP and US armed forces and the US is providing aid in the "war on terror". The AFP investigating the matter may also be viewed with suspicion. The AFP is even more distrusted in the Philippines than politicians! Maybe Arroyo should do as Pakistan did with Bhutto's assassination and get Scotland Yard to investigate!


AFP to probe US troops’ closure of Sulu hospital



01/03/2008

The Philippine military yesterday said it is set to make a formal inquiry into the closure of a government hospital in Mindanao by Amercian soldiers providing counter-terrorist training to Filipino troops.

Armed US troops reportedly entered the hospital in Panamao on Jolo Island, Sulu province, in late November and ordered doctors to close it down every night, preventing them from treating patients.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the US forces have since apologized.

Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces in Mindanao, stressed the command would “investigate the alleged





meddling of US forces in the operation of a hospital in Panamao.”

The result of the investigation shall serve as the basis in recommending the appropriate punishment to the guilty party or mediate the differences or misunder-standing between the parties involved if any,” he said.

The incident “had an adverse impact on the ongoing joint humanitarian efforts of the US forces and the armed forces of the Philippines” operating on Jolo and nearby islands, the AFP, in a statement, said.

Spokesmen for the US military forces in the South could not be reached for comment.

Local military officials have said the Americans might have wanted the hospital closed at night to prevent it becoming a launching pad for attacks on their nearby camp.

Jolo is a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants.

US Special Forces troops are providing training as well as intelligence to Filipino troops fighting the group, which has been blamed for the country’s worst terrorist attacks. AFP