Push Admin

'We'll save a lot of money': Trump 'fine' with end of Philippines military pact

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cYFh87xb7Sk?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>US President Donald Trump dismissed concerns Wednesday about the Philippines canceling a major military accord, saying the decision would save Americans money.</p><p>The 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) created a legal framework for the presence of US troops in the Philippines and for organizing joint military exercises. </p><p>Manila announced its decision Tuesday -- a move the US embassy in the Philippines called a &quot;serious step&quot; -- touching off a six-month countdown to the end of the deal. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/11/20/philippines-sends-notice-of-vfa-termination-to-us">Philippines sends notice of VFA termination to US</a></li></ul><p>&quot;If they would like to do that, that&#x27;s fine, we&#x27;ll save a lot of money,&quot; Trump told reporters at the White House, touting his &quot;very good relationship&quot; with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. </p><p>Famously outspoken Duterte has threatened since his 2016 election to put an end to the Filipino-American alliance, with an eye toward cultivating relationships with Russia or China instead. </p><p>He specifically mentioned a desire to do away with the VFA again in January, after the US cancelled the travel visa of senator and former national police chief Ronald Dela Rosa. </p><p>The VFA is divisive in the Philippines, with leftist and nationalist critics arguing it guarantees preferential treatment for US service members accused of crimes.</p><p>Its defenders say ending the agreement would compromise the southeast Asian nation&#x27;s ability to defend itself and undermine the US goal of containing Beijing&#x27;s ambitions in the South China Sea.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump dismissed concerns Wednesday about the Philippines canceling a major military accord, saying the decision would save Americans money.</p>

US President Donald Trump dismissed concerns Wednesday about the Philippines canceling a major military accord, saying the decision would save Americans money.