Jose Manuel Romualdez Jr.: “Remember, when we had a termination of the Bases Agreement in 1991, there was a different kind of relationship then. There were hardly any exercises during that time.” | FMangosingINQ
The VFA, he said, was more of a military issue, and he would leave it to the defense establishment how to move forward without it.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the decision as a”move in the wrong direction” especially at a time when US and its allies in the region are pushing China to abide by international norms. “When the President ordered the termination of the VFA, we took that as to mean that it’s the final decision.. The decision was made by the President, so we will abide by it. We will just find ways to continue our relationship,” Romualdez said.He said groups like US-Philippines Society, a private sector initiative, are continuing to expand the understanding of the two countries and to raise awareness about the Philippines in the US.
“Remember, when we had a termination of the Bases Agreement in 1991, there was a different kind of relationship then. There were hardly any exercises during that time,” he said, referring to a proposed treaty with the US that would have extended the stay of US military bases on Philippine soil. The treaty had been rejected by the Philippine Senate.
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