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The chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments made the warning, a day after Malacañang announced that President Duterte already directed the start of process of terminating the VFA, which was forged between the Philippines and US in 1999.
“Although the move of President Duterte to abrogate the VFA is within the powers of the Chief Executive, it will be inimical to our national interest and security. At a time when we have a territorial conflict with China on our Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea, this should be the last thing that our President should do,” Rodriguez said in a text message.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Friday said the process of terminating the 21-year old security pact “has commenced.”
On the same day, Justice Secretary Meynardo Guevarra said the DOJ was already studying the proper procedure to terminate the VFA.
Rodriguez said the VFA cannot be abrogated, given China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
“China maintains their Nine Dash Line claim which have been declared to be illegal and without basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has been harrassing our fishermen a at the Panatag Shoal which is within our EEZ. It has tried to prevent our resupply of our Philippine Navy vessel the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal, also in our EEZ,” he said.
“Only the United States under our Mutual Defense Treaty and VFA can come to our defense in case our vessels are attacked in the South China sea which is considered an extension of the Pacific Ocean,” he explained.
Rodriguez proposed that the cancellation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s U.S. visa can be resolved through diplomatic channels.
“The cancellation of Senator Bato dela Rosa’s US visa is certainly uncalled for, but it can be reconsidered through diplomatic channels. I hope the good President will reconsider this move,” he said.
Duterte had warned to terminate the VFA if Washington does not “correct” Dela Rosa’s visa cancellation.
On Wednesday, Dela Rosa, who served as the Chief of Philippine National Police (PNP) at the height of the war on illegal drugs, disclosed that his U.S. visa had been cancelled. The former PNP Chief said he was told to re-apply to secure visa again.
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