Iran Press/ Asia: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked the country's Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin to send a notice of termination of two-decade-old 'Visiting Forces Agreement' to the US Government on February 10, Panelo said.
Speaking at a press conference on February 11, Panelo quoted Duterte as saying that the Philippines needs to strengthen its own capability as a country relative to the defense of its land.
The Duterte, who has clashed with the former colonial ruler over several issues, has decided to pull the plug on the two-decade troop rotation pact to enable the Philippines to be more independent with its relations with other countries, spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
VFA was an alliance which has crucial important to US interests.
The Philippines and the US signed the VFA in 1998, allowing joint Philippine-US military operations. The Philippine Senate ratified the agreement in 1999, seven years after the closure of the last US base on Philippine territory. 207/205
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