House Speaker Alan Peter “Compañero” S. Cayetano today said that the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States (US) does not weaken the country’s defense and claim on the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to the media during the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-Need (LANI) scholarship orientation held in Taguig, Cayetano cited that the United States does not take sides in any territorial disputes involving the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and prioritized its freedom of navigation. He also noted that the US did not ratify the UNCLOS, which in turn is the basis of Philippine sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
“The Americans did not stop the Chinese from building kahit na may Mutual Defense Treaty at kahit na mayroon tayong VFA, kasi ang stand nila [ay] freedom of navigation. Hindi stand ng mga Amerikano that [that] belongs to the Philippines or that be UNCLOS [United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea]. The Americans did not ratify the UNCLOS. So, kung sasabihin niyo mawi-weaken tayo sa West Philippine Sea dahil walang VFA, hindi totoo ‘yun,” said Cayetano.
However, he added that, with the training equipment provided by the US and the camaraderie shown by its forces, the Philippines is able to strengthen its forces. He said that since the VFA termination, he has been conducting meetings with some officers of the Armed Forces including Philippine Army and Philippine Navy to discuss plans about how the government can support them.
“We’ll take advantage na wala ‘yung VFA to appeal to the President na Horizon 1, ‘yung dun sa modernization, i-expand,” Cayetano said, citing the provision of Php 5 billion to the Philippine Air Force, which can be used for the repair of 150 existing aircraft, as an example as to how the government can maintain the military’s capability.
“So, these are the things we are preparing. There is a plan being put in place. So, tandaan niyo, ‘yung pag-withdraw sa VFA, hindi naman ‘yan withdraw today, tapos na ‘yan. May period ‘yan na magra-wrap up at may period na may chance tayo bumili,” he added.
Cayetano earlier said that while the government acknowledged the benefits of being in the strong protective embrace of America’s armies, the changing times show that those protective arms are not so protective when the US Interest clashes with ours.
“President Duterte is right in calling for our own armed forces to grow and develop,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, he clarified that despite the termination of the agreement, the Philippines remains friends with the US, where there are about 3.5 million Filipino-Americans. “If they want to continue helping us without any strings attached, our military, thank you. But if they don’t, then we have to stand on our own feet,” he concluded.
Press release