MANILA – Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa admitted he is “bothered” for being the “last straw” on the termination of United States-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Dela Rosa whose US visa was recently cancelled said in a media interview that he feels bothered with the military pact’s cancellation as he is being blamed by those who do not understand the issue.
“Medyo bothered din ako kahit papaano dahil parang lumalabas na I am the reason of it all, lalo na sa mga tao na di makaintindi. They are there to crucify you,” said the neophyte senator.
On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs sent formal notice to the US embassy in Manila on the Philippines’ intent to terminate the VFA, which was signed in 1998 to govern the conduct of American troops in the country.
Dela Rosa explained that the cancellation of his US visa was only the “final straw” that triggered Duterte to scrap the VFA as Washington’s frequent meddling in the country’s domestic issues is what really angers the President.
“’Di masabi na knee-jerk reaction kasi matagal na niya pinag-isipan. So, mahirap na mabago ang desisyon pag matagal na nya pinag-isipan,” Dela Rosa said. “It was an accumulation of mga disrespect na ginawa ng kabila dito sa atin. So, ‘yun na ang nangyari.” added the senator who was the first national police chief appointee of Duterte.
“Sabi nga nila, it’s better to have a Philippines be run like hell by Filipinos than run like heaven by Americans,” he added. “’Di ko sinasabi na nagkakalat tayo ngayon. Basta tayo, we take care of our future. We take charge of our own destiny. Let us not depend on them.”
Under the VFA, the termination will only take effect 180 days after a party has notified the other of its intent./PN
