MANILA – The entire Cabinet supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s move in terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and United States, Malacañang said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued this statement to dispute the claim of Senator Panfilo Lacson that Duterte’s revocation of VFA was not fully backed by all Cabinet members.
“All members of the Cabinet support the President’s foreign policy,” Panelo said.
On Thursday, Lacson claimed that several Cabinet officials have apprehensions and reservations about Duterte’s move to scrap the 1998 military deal and were worried about the possible repercussions of the abrogation.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, for his part, said that Lacson’s statement was mere “speculation.”
“Let me assure, everybody, that when the President makes a decision, all, the entire Cabinet will support him there. And that includes VFA,” Nograles said.
“Basically, that’s the message. I mean, consistent naman si Pangulo diyan eh. We will pursue an independent foreign policy where we are friends to everyone and enemies to none. And I think when the President gave that statement, I think all he’s saying is that hindi tayo pwede mag side sa kahit sino,” he added.
The VFA, which was signed in February 1998, allows the entry of US troops sans passport and visa regulations so they can participate in joint military drills in the Philippines./PN
