Duterte, "Restore Visiting Forces Agreement with US"...Cancel Previous Withdrawal Decision

Concerns Over Worsening Public Opinion Amid Deepening Territorial Disputes with China
Uncertain Whether Pro-China Stance Will Completely Change

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is reported to have withdrawn the notice to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, drawing attention to the background of this decision. Previously, President Duterte had continued a pro-China stance despite maritime sovereignty disputes with China, receiving both domestic and international criticism, which is interpreted as a move influenced by public opinion. However, it remains uncertain whether President Duterte, who has strengthened economic cooperation with China, will completely turn away from his pro-China policies.

According to the Associated Press on the 30th, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated at a joint press conference held in Manila with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, "President Duterte has decided to withdraw the notice of termination of the VFA that was sent to the U.S. side last year." Secretary Austin also welcomed the decision, saying, "President Duterte's decision will help enhance defense cooperation between the two long-time allied countries."

The VFA is an agreement between the United States and the Philippines established in 1998 that regulates the rights and obligations of U.S. military personnel entering the Philippines for joint training and other purposes, serving as the legal basis for U.S. military training activities within the Philippines. Previously, President Duterte unilaterally notified the U.S. side of the termination of the VFA in February last year, which significantly worsened diplomatic relations with the United States. Subsequently, the Philippines extended the termination deadline twice and announced in June that the VFA, originally set to expire in August this year, would be extended for an additional six months.

Accordingly, there is growing interest in whether President Duterte's foreign policy, which has shown a pro-China stance, will sharply pivot toward the United States. Earlier, despite Chinese vessels being anchored for extended periods at Whitsun Reef and other locations within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, President Duterte emphasized economic cooperation with China, demonstrating a pro-China approach that has drawn domestic and international criticism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.