MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s demand to the United States to “pay up” to retain the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries, sounded like extortion for Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Parang extortion lang. Parang kriminal eh, kung gusto mo nito magbayad ka muna,” Robredo said on her Biserbisyong Leni radio show on Sunday morning over RMN-DZXL.
According to Robredo, the statement that US’s responsibility in the VFA “does not come free,” was not how the Philippines should treat an ally country.
“Para sa akin, nakakahiya. Parang nang-eextort tayo. Sa akin, kapag sinabi nating ayaw nating i-renew ‘yung VFA, ilatag natin kung bakit. Ipakita natin bakit ba hindi siya nakakabuti sa atin,” she added. “Hindi ‘yung pera ang consideration.”
For Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the president’s statement regarding VFA might give an impression that the Philippines is a “nation of extortionists.”
“The President may have used strong words to send his message across the US. But certainly, there is a more civil and statesmanlike manner to ask for compensation from a longtime ally using the usual diplomatic channels and still get the same desired results,” said Lacson.
“At least, give the other party an elbow room to save face instead of looking bullied and stripped of dignity,” added Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense.
In his speech at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday, Duterte said “I’d like to put on notice if there is an American agent here that from now on. You want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? You have to pay.”
Last year, Duterte ordered to scrap the VFA after the US visa of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa was canceled. The criticism of some US senators in his drug war also added flame to the fire.
The VFA, a military pact signed between the Philippines and US in 1998, allows American troops who are participating in joint military deals to visit Manila sans passport and visa./PN
