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Rodrigo Duterte’s U-turn on VFA was motivated by South China Sea tensions, says Philippines foreign secretary
- In a wide-ranging television interview, Teodoro Locsin Jnr also discussed China’s occupation of the Scarborough Shoal and US freedom of navigation
- He went on to defend Duterte from allegations he had sought to appease China, although he admitted joint gas and oil projects had stalled
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Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision earlier this month to reverse course on terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States was motivated by his desire to ease tensions in the South China Sea.
During an interview with ANC anchor Karen Davila, Locsin discussed various aspects of the Philippines’ conflicted relations with China and the US.
He confirmed that talks over joint oil and gas exploration had stalled and said China had already “weaponised” Scarborough Shoal. He also said US navy aircraft carriers had “the international right” to enter the South China Sea and that Duterte had raised with Chinese President Xi Jinping the issue of incursions by Chinese vessels into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but said “the reception was very cold”.
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Duterte in February cancelled the VFA, which allows US troops to operate in the Philippines on a rotational basis, weeks after he said he would terminate it if the US government failed to “correct” its cancellation of the visa of former police chief-turned Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who had been blacklisted for his role in the president’s war on drugs.
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Philippine officials unveil beaching ramp on disputed South China Sea island
Philippine officials unveil beaching ramp on disputed South China Sea island
The VFA cancellation would have taken effect in August. However, Duterte changed his mind, although the decision will be reviewed every six months.
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