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
World
US Imposes 125% Tariff on China, Pauses Tariffs for 90 Days on Over 75 Countries
On April 10, US President Donald Trump announced an immediate increase in tariffs on China to 125%, while pausing tariff impositions for 90 days on more than 75 other countries and reducing retaliatory tariffs to 10%.
April 11, 2025 | 09:51
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
Recommended
World
"Will continue offering our full support to Indian govt": US FBI Director after Pahalgam attack
FBI Director Kash Patel on Sunday offered condolences to all the victims of the recent terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam and affirmed the "full support" of the US to the Indian government.
April 28, 2025 | 22:45
World
"Great Leader": JD Vance Lauds PM Modi During His India Visit
United States Vice President JD Vance also expressed gratitude for hosting his family at the PM's residence in New Delhi and said that PM Modi was "incredibly kind to my family."
April 24, 2025 | 15:14
World
Trump’s Tariff Pause: A Strategic Move from “The Art of the Deal”?
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump’s unexpected reversal on tariff policy was part of the “art of the deal”, a reference to his 1987 book of the same name.
April 18, 2025 | 15:37
World
"Indian Navy's participation in AIKEYME exercise matter of great happiness": Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi on Sunday said that the Indian Navy's participation in the AIKEYME exercise is a matter of great happiness for the Indian Navy and the country.
April 17, 2025 | 07:00
World
ASEAN and US Tariff Dilemma: Hybrid Approach to Global Trade Tensions
In response to the US' tariff policies, ASEAN has adopted a flexible approach, combining a unified stance with space for individual member states to pursue separate negotiations. According to international experts, this pragmatic strategy enables the region to maintain dialogue channels while protecting national interests amid intensifying global strategic competition and trade protectionism.
April 15, 2025 | 14:13
World
Vietnam Affirms Its Active and Responsible Role at UNESCO
Vietnam consistently values multilateralism and upholds the role of UNESCO in promoting peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation. The country has reaffirmed its commitment to remaining a reliable, active, and responsible partner, contributing effectively to UNESCO’s shared programs and initiatives.
April 11, 2025 | 09:57
World
"Massive financial deficits with China, EU can only be cured with tariffs": Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump defended his administration's implementation of reciprocal tariffs on various countries, underlining the financial deficits the US faces with nations like China and the European Union and argued that tariffs are the only solution to these trade imbalances.
April 09, 2025 | 18:17
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