US-PH meeting in March may tackle VFA

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10) — A US State Department official said Monday that a bilateral meeting with the Philippines is being set next month to discuss Manila's plans to end the Visiting Forces Agreement.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in a expletive-laden speech on the same day, said he is not changing his decision to terminate the VFA despite attempts by US President Donald Trump and others to save the agreement.

Cooper did not confirm if the federal government has already received a formal notice from the Philippines that it is ending the VFA — something which President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly ordered last Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. 

EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement

The US official also flagged what's at stake should Manila ultimately decide to end the military pact — around 300 engagements, joint exercises, and port calls yearly.

"It's a worthy converstion to have. Of all the engagements — freedom of navigation exercises, joint trainings, and having US military personnel on the ground — does require that we have a mechanism that allows that. That's why the VFA is so important," Cooper added.

"We don't want to see any of these exercises either be reduced or disappear," he said, noting that even the subsequent Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement would be at risk as well without the VFA in place.

The VFA is the first of two agreements between Washington and Manila about the treatment of their troops when they are in the US or the Philippines. Among the provisions of the deal include lax visa and passport policies for US troops entering the country, and rights of the US government to retain jurisdiction over military personnel.

However, Cooper said communication lines remain open between military forces for coordination and the purchase of arms.

Speaking at a meeting of local executives Monday, Duterte said he was not backing down on his stand to end the agreement.

“Ngayon, I’ll make it public. Because public official ako. Si Trump, pati yung others, are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement. Sabi ko, ayaw ko,” he said.

[Translation: Now, I'll make it public. Because I am a public official. Trump and the others, are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement. I said I don't want to.]

He added the US has been meddling in local affairs, including the case of Senator Leila de Lima

"Napakabastos ng Amerika. Talagang sobrang bastos... Imagine demanding the release of de Lima under threat that we will not receive the aid at may kulatilya that all persons who had a hand in the imprisonment of de Lima will not be allowed to go to the United States. P**** i**, ano bang nasa Amerika?” he said.

[Translation: America is very rude. Extremely rude. Imagine demanding the release of de Lima under threat that we will not receive the aid plus all who had a hand in the imprisonment of de Lima will not be allowed to go to the United States. What is in America, anyway?]

Meanwhile, the Senate approved a resolution Monday to thoroughly review the VFA before coming to a decision regarding its fate.

READ: Duterte encourages Cabinet members to boycott travel to the US

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin, Jr. previously said the country would stand to lose around ₱10 billion in aid, such as military assistance and financial grants from the US, should the termination push through.