Go: Nation’s welfare paramount in President’s VFA decision

The Visiting Forces Agreement, signed in 1998, dictates the terms under which United States military personnel can be temporarily present in the Philippines

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said whatever decision President Rodrigo Duterte will come up with on the fate of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) should be respected.

He said he is certain the President will decide with the national interest and welfare of Filipinos in mind.

The VFA, signed in 1998, dictates the terms under which United States military personnel can be temporarily present in the Philippines for military exercises with local troops and humanitarian missions.

Go said Duterte, as chief architect of foreign policy, has the prerogative to make decisions for the country.

“I will respect the decision of the President. The Philippines is a sovereign country. We belong to an independent country,” he said Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Northeastern Misamis General Hospital in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

He also assured that Mr. Duterte is only concerned about the welfare of all Filipinos.

“Whatever decision he makes, it will be for the best interest of Filipinos,” explained Go. “For the President and I, we will not let Filipinos be taken advantage of.”

The President earlier demanded compensation from the US government if it wanted to keep the VFA. He ordered in February last year the abrogation of the agreement, effective after 180 days, but suspended it due to the Covid-19 pandemic and “heightened superpower tensions.”

The US welcomed the suspension, saying “the US-Philippines alliance remains vital to our robust, deep-rooted bilateral relationship.”

President Duterte ordered in February last year the abrogation of the agreement, effective after 180 days, but suspended it due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even without the VFA, the US-Philippine defense ties will continue under two other defense agreements: Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951 that commits the US to come to the Philippines’ aid in the event of an attack by a foreign power and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, penned during the Obama administration and has provisions for troop rotations, use of military bases and positioning of assets.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said they respect the wisdom of their commander-in-chief.

“I am a soldier, a good follower. The President is the commander-in-chief and I respect his wisdom,” he said

Sobejana added the AFP should be able to stand alone and not become dependent on other countries.

“As an organization, as the AFP, we should be able to stand alone. If we are so dependent on other countries, we can’t be on top of the situation always,” he said.

Go believes the termination of the VFA “is a chance for us to write a new and better chapter in Philippines–United States relations. We should now be able to renew our friendship, reaffirm our ties and resume cooperation as true co-equals.”

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SBG Kuya Bong assists Lumad community,firevictimsSenator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go visits the coastal town of Lagonglong in Misamis Oriental on Friday to provide assistance to a Lumad community that is having a hard time accessing essential goods and services due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Meals, food and medicine packs, medical-grade and reusable masks, and face shields were given to a total of 1,900 beneficiaries composed of indigenous peoples and farmers. The day before, his staff distributed assistance to 45 families affected by a 12 February fire incident in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GEOPOLITICAL MONITOR AMERICAN forces can conduct military exercises in the Philippines under the Visiting Forces Agreement.