Rappler's latest stories on VFA
'Fortunately,' there won’t be pushback from military over VFA – Trillanes
The former Navy sailor who led two mutinies says the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a professional institution, and will weather the President’s order to repeal the pact with its biggest military ally
DJ Chacha slams Dela Rosa: Just resign and be Duterte's bodyguard
'When you're a public servant and your loyalty is towards a person and not towards the country, ang tawag diyan, tuta,' she says
Russia denies envoy’s meeting with PH military chief related to VFA repeal
Ties between the Philippines and Russia are independent of any third party, says Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev
No more VFA? PH, U.S. ‘will work out something else’ – Romualdez
Nothing’s certain, but based on history, the two countries will figure out a way to move bilateral relations forward, says the Philippine ambassador to the US
Senators to question VFA termination at Supreme Court
No less than Senate President Vicente Sotto III is preparing the petition raising the need for Senate concurrence in ending treaties
Trump 'fine' with VFA termination? 'He deserves to be reelected,' says Duterte
Malacañang says President Duterte 'is glad that the American President understands and respects his decision to end the Visiting Forces Agreement'
PH-US break-up on Valentine's week
Need we ask who – or which country – is the third party?
Environment group lauds VFA termination, cites toxic waste U.S. troops left behind
Ending the key military pact with the US is the first step towards exacting justice for thousands of Filipinos whose health suffered because of the hazardous waste the US military left behind in its former bases, says Kalikasan
'Stop whining,' Locsin says after PH sends notice of VFA termination
'Time to grow up,' says Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr
Panelo contradicts Panelo: No Trump, Duterte phone call after all
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo admits to reporters there was no scheduled call to begin with
No more military exercises with U.S. when VFA lapses – Lorenzana
Although planned joint exercises may still continue in the next 6 months, there won’t be any when the termination of the military pact takes effect, says the defense chief
Trump 'fine' with end of Visiting Forces Agreement
'If they would like to do that, that's fine, we'll save a lot of money,' Trump tells reporters at the White House, touting his 'very good relationship' with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
Robredo to Duterte: Why so quick to act on VFA but slow on novel coronavirus?
Vice President Leni Robredo questions the President's motive for scrapping the VFA, especially since members of his own Cabinet warned that it would largely be against the Philippines' own interests
Tolentino 'advises' AFP to ask for U.S. equipment when VFA ends
'Baka naman makahingi tayo ng p'wede nating gamitin,' says Senator Francis Tolentino as 'advice' to new AFP chief Felimon Santos Jr
VFA termination a 'national tragedy,' says Del Rosario
'It is not what we do; it is not what is right,' says former foreign secretary Albert Del Rosario, urging the Duterte government to reconsider its decision
Guevarra: PH will survive without VFA with Americans
Whether the President's advisers agree with him on the termination of the military deal is now 'water under the bridge,' says the justice secretary
U.S. defense chief: Terminating VFA 'a move in the wrong direction'
(UPDATED) Losing the Visiting Forces Agreement would be a setback in countering China’s aggression in the Asia Pacific region, says US Defense Secretary Mark Esper
'Not in session hall?' 6 senators allied with Duterte withdraw vote in VFA review reso
Senator Sotto asks Senator Marcos: 'Then why did you not object? Senator Dela Rosa abstained. If you were in the session hall, then you should have abstained.'
Military members disagree with VFA termination – senior officers
Scrapping the key military pact with the US is disadvantageous to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, say two senior military officers who spoke on condition of anonymity
Senate divided as Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.
Pro-administration senators withdraw their votes in an already approved Senate resolution that urges the President to review the Visiting Forces Agreement before terminating it
TIMELINE: Duterte's threats to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement
The Philippines' notice it is terminating the military pact triggers a 180-day countdown until the agreement expires. How did we get here?
FALSE: U.S. embassy 'suspends' tourist visas due to virus, VFA scrapping
The United States embassy in the Philippines denies issuing such an advisory. The screenshot supposedly from the embassy's website also contains spelling errors.
PH notice of VFA termination to have 'significant implications' on relations, says U.S.
The United States says it will 'carefully consider' its next moves as it 'remains committed' to its friendship with the Philippines
In whose interest? Netizens question gov't scrapping of VFA
‘Behold this President, his personal issues over [the] nation’s welfare,’ one netizen says
What will happen to PH military if the VFA is terminated?
Can joint military exercises with American troops continue without the Visiting Forces Agreement? At the very least, mounting them would become a lot more difficult.
Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.
(3rd UPDATE) 'The Executive Secretary sent the message to Secretary Teddyboy Locsin and the latter signed the notice of termination as sent to the US government today,' says Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
PH-U.S. military operations could ‘disappear’ if VFA scrapped – U.S. official
Some 300 joint activities between Philippine and U.S. forces require the VFA as a basis for operations, says U.S. Assistant Secretary of State R. Clarke Cooper
Senate urges Duterte to reconsider plan to scrap VFA
Senators say they should first review the ramifications of withdrawing from the agreement that allows for the presence of US military troops in the Philippines
With VFA uncertain, Duterte lashes out at U.S. once again
'Si Trump pati 'yung others are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement. Sabi ko, ayaw ko,' says President Rodrigo Duterte
U.S. embassy in PH denies suspending visa applications
The US embassy in the Philippines refutes misinformation it revoked tourist visas due to the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus and Duterte's threats to end the VFA
No order from Duterte yet to terminate VFA – Lorenzana
'This is fake news,' says the defense secretary about Salvador Panelo's claim that the President has taken steps to instruct Foreign Secretary Locsin to send the notice of termination to the US
Despite risks, Duterte orders Locsin to terminate VFA
President Rodrigo Duterte ignores the calls of top security and foreign officials to first review the defense agreement
FULL TEXT: Locsin on impact assessment of VFA termination
What is at stake and is the Philippines ready to terminate the VFA?
[PODCAST] Dapat nga bang ibasura na ang Visiting Forces Agreement?
Ano ang posibleng implikasyon ng pagbasura ng VFA?
No termination yet: Locsin instead wants 'vigorous review' of VFA
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr admits he and defense chief Delfin Lorenzana were not consulted before President Duterte announced his order to terminate the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement
With threats to scrap VFA, Duterte gambles Philippines' security
Duterte's latest outburst against the US isolates the country from its oldest ally and sows uncertainty against the threat of any Chinese aggression
LIVE: Senate hearing on PH-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement
Watch the hearing live on Rappler
With VFA uncertain, U.S. envoy hails military alliance with PH at WW2 event
US Ambassador Sung Kim highlights the benefits to Filipinos of US military presence, now threatened by the President’s order to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement
PH, U.S. armies look to 'future engagements' amid Duterte order to scrap VFA
Joint activities between Philippine and US forces continue as the Duterte administration moves to terminate the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement
EXPLAINER: Visiting Forces Agreement
President Duterte has threatened to scrap the military pact between the Philippines and the United States. Here's what you should know about it.
Lawmakers hit VFA termination, urge DFA to give Duterte 'sound' advice
'Are we going to sacrifice the gains that we have made with the US-Philippine relationship just because of the cancellation of the visa of one senator?' asks Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel
Senate panel to review VFA, other Philippine defense pacts
'Number 1, ano ang benefits na nakuha ng Pilipinas dito? What is the national interest at stake in these agreements?' says Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on some questions to be taken up at the planned hearing
Malacañang downplays possibility of U.S. terminating other military pacts
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says the Duterte government is not concerned the United States may terminate other military treaties following the Philippines' move to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement
Del Rosario urges Duterte to meet Trump, discuss military pact
Former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario says that while the Visiting Forces Agreement is 'imperfect,' it is 'essential' for the Philippine-US defense alliance
Malacañang asks for 'impact assessment' on VFA termination
Is the termination on hold? Guevarra says President Duterte threatened but did not order to terminate the VFA
DOJ: Effects of VFA termination on EDCA, Mutual Defense Treaty have to be studied
The justice department is ready with its memorandum on the legal procedures to terminate the 20-year-old VFA
Lorenzana says it’s within PH right to scrap defense pact with U.S.
The defense chief he will discuss with President Duterte ‘various scenarios’ and 'future actions' that the military may undertake if and when the visiting forces agreement is terminated
Lacson questions ending VFA to get Dela Rosa's visa back
(UPDATED) Senator Panfilo Lacson says the Supreme Court needs to 'act soonest' on whether a two-third vote by the Senate is needed to terminate international treaties
Locsin heeds Duterte, starts 'terminating' VFA
(UPDATED) Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr eagerly puts President Rodrigo Duterte's words in motion after the Philippine chief warned the US government it had one month to 'correct' Senator Ronald dela Rosa's canceled visa
'Good move': Locsin hails Duterte's threats to scrap VFA
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr says President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to 'terminate' the Philippines-US Visiting Forces Agreement tests the countries' decades-old military alliance
