Rappler's latest stories on VFA
2 U.S. carrier strike groups hold drills in PH Sea amid China airspace control fears
The Western Pacific's traditional power showcases its naval might as China plans to establish an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea
vU.S. thanks PH for delaying VFA termination, promises vaccine
The United States is home to one of the world's current frontrunners in developing a vaccine against the novel coronavirus
Where the Philippines goes, America follows
We have thousands of George Floyds. But they’re abused not because of the color of their skin as much as because of where and how they live.
Lorenzana welcomes suspension of VFA repeal
(UPDATED) 'In times of crises and global uncertainty, it is our belief that nations are only made stronger if we work together and focus our efforts on tackling the various challenges that confront us all,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Philippines suspends VFA termination for now
(UPDATED) The United States welcomes the suspension, which will last for an initial period of 6 months
U.S. State Department approves possible sale of attack helicopters to PH
To give the Philippine military a much-needed boost in air power, the government is looking to buy 6 attack helicopters from US-based suppliers
Rappler Talk: Ex-VFA chief Edilberto Adan on cutting the military pact with the U.S.
Bookmark this page: Former Visiting Forces Agreement Commission executive director Edilberto Adan talks about the importance of the military deal and the impact of its repeal
After Senate files VFA petition, Duterte insists: 'I refuse to be compelled'
In asserting he wants the deal scrapped, President Rodrigo Duterte rules out any effort to 'discuss this with anybody'
At last, Senate asks Supreme Court to define limits of Duterte's power
'I'm sure my colleagues will agree na dapat talaga there cannot be absolutism in our government,' says Senator Richard Gordon
Senate asks Supreme Court: Order Duterte to seek our concurrence on VFA scrapping
This marks the first time that senators of the majority bloc are challenging a policy of the Duterte administration before the Supreme Court
U.S. admiral on VFA repeal: A little disappointing but relationship not lost
US Pacific Fleet Commander John Aquilino is leading a port call of the aircraft carrier strike group Theodore Roosevelt in Vietnam, which uncharacteristically skipped the Philippines in its Indo-Pacific voyage
Senate adopts resolution questioning Duterte power to solely end treaties
The Senate leadership intends to ask the Supreme Court this week to rule on whether President Rodrigo Duterte can end treaties such as the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement without Senate concurrence
Choose U.S. or China? Carpio offers 3rd way
Terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement will make the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement useless, says retired justice Antonio Carpio
Hope for VFA? 'Door is not totally shut,' says PH envoy to US
'We cannot ignore a country like the US,' says Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez
Can PH defend itself without U.S. help? We can, we will, we should – AFP
The die is cast, says the military
Duterte insists VFA repeal not a ‘knee-jerk reaction’
‘I am the most deliberate. That’s why I’m awake until 6 o’clock, just thinking of what I have to do,’ says the President
Makati Business Club: 'Strong' U.S. ties important for PH economy, security
The Makati Business Club expresses concern over the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, saying it may 'affect other security agreements'
'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
(UPDATED) The Philippines on June 1 suspends its notice to terminate the military pact. 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?
