News Philippines to keep suspending move to scrap military pact with U.S.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at a press conference in Davao on the country's Mindanao Island on Oct. 6, 2019. (Kyodo)

The Philippines said Wednesday it will suspend for another six months its earlier decision to discontinue a visiting forces agreement with the United States.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said in a statement that the move is to allow both parties to arrive at a "more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement."

The government of President Rodrigo Duterte first served notice to cancel the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with its long-time defense ally on Feb. 11, starting a 180-day termination period.

But in June, the Philippines held off the decision by six months, citing political and other developments in the region.

The agreement, which is separate from the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, allows the U.S. military to use Philippine bases and preposition its assets in the Southeast Asian country.

 

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