Philippines to terminate troop agreement with US
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has told his foreign minister to give formal notice to the United States of his termination of a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between their militaries, his spokesman said on Tuesday (Feb 11).
| Football tournament in Philippines held to welcome New Year | |
| Philippines: Several dead, 300 treated after drinking coconut wine | |
| Vietnamese doctors help with robotic surgeries in Philippines |
 |
| Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends a plenary session at a regional summit in Bangkok, Thailand November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha |
"It's about time we rely on ourselves, we will strengthen our own defences and not rely on any other country," Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo told a regular briefing, quoting the president.
The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), signed in 1998, accorded legal status to thousands of US troops who were rotated in the country for military exercises and humanitarian assistance.
The two countries also have a Mutual defence Treaty and an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which remain in place./.
Related Stories
National
US President-elect Trump Affirms Importance of Economic Cooperation with Vietnam
General Secretary To Lam and US President-elect Donald Trump exchanged assessments of bilateral relations, as well as directions for strengthening economic and trade relations in a phone call on the evening of November 11.
November 13, 2024 | 11:24
Friendship
Kien Giang Businesses and Philippine Partners to Promote Cooperation for Development
On September 11, Vice Chairman of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee Giang Thanh Khoa and leaders of relevant departments had a meeting with Mr. Meynardo LB. Montealegre - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Vietnam, together with the delegation visiting and working in Kien Giang.
September 19, 2024 | 07:55
Recommended
World
Modi’s Sri Lanka Visit: A Diplomatic Triumph Amid Regional Tensions
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped off the plane in Colombo, it wasn’t just a routine state visit. Over three days, through Sunday, April 6, the Indian leader stitched together a tapestry of agreements, symbolic gestures, and strategic goodwill with Sri Lanka’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
April 06, 2025 | 15:25
World
BIMSTEC Summit 2025: India’s Visionary Leadership Paves the Way for Regional Integration
In a significant move towards regional integration, the 6th Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) commenced on April 2, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand.
April 04, 2025 | 17:57
World
US President Donald Trump: Reciprocal Tariffs Will Target All Countries
On March 30, US President Donald Trump announced that the reciprocal tariffs expected to be unveiled this week would apply to all countries, not just a small group of 10 to 15 nations with the largest trade deficits with the US. This statement marks a shift in his approach to import tariffs, as just a few days earlier, he had left open the possibility of narrowing the plan's scope.
April 01, 2025 | 13:54
World
Negotiation Over Confrontation: Countries Taking Cautious Approach to US Tariffs
While the EU and Canada have responded strongly to the US tariff measures, some countries like the UK, Mexico, Australia, and others have opted for a more cautious path: negotiation instead of confrontation. This strategy helps them avoid escalating trade tensions but also entails risks when dealing with a US administration ready to use tariffs as a negotiation tool.
March 31, 2025 | 07:26
World
International Community Extends Support to Myanmar and Thailand Over Earthquake
Following the severe earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, numerous countries have extended condolences and expressed their willingness to assist in recovery efforts.
March 30, 2025 | 10:06
World
Trump’s 25% Tariff: "Seismic Shock" to Global Auto Industry
Experts in the automotive industry predict that this latest move by the US could disrupt global trade and supply chains.
March 28, 2025 | 16:18
World
EU Will "Fight Fire with Fire" in Trade War with US?
Targeting Big Tech could be among the EU’s options to hit Washington where it hurts, Belgium’s foreign minister says.
March 26, 2025 | 09:28
World
Understanding Trump's Tariffs in Five Charts
Data shows import taxes could broadly affect US industries from medicine to machinery.
March 21, 2025 | 20:14