Defense chief sees backlash if VFA terminated

From GMA News (Oct 28): Defense chief sees backlash if VFA terminated

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday said the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) could affect the country's defense posture.

Speaking to reporters, Gazmin said the VFA, which provides legal framework for the conduct of military exercises between Filipino and United States troops, is a component of the country's overall defense strategy.

"It will affect our goal of having a minimum credible defense posture because the VFA is a component of our overall defense strategy," he said.

He added: "We need help because we cannot face the problem alone at present. We are working double time in our modernization program and capability upgrade so that we can stand alone. But as of now, we cannot stand alone."

He described the agreement as a "work in progress" that must not be thrown out before it has proven its worth.

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello earlier filed resolutions calling for the termination of the VFA.

The two lawmakers filed the resolution in the wake of the killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude allegedly at the hands of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton last October 11.

Gazmin said the transfer of Pemberton to a detention facility inside Camp Aguinaldo last Wednesday is an indication that the VFA is working.

"The Laude case has shown that the PH and US are willing to cooperate fully with each other within the terms of the agreement. Both sides have also shown their respect for the sensitivities of one another over this incident. That is the VFA at work," he said.

Pemberton was initially detained at the USS Peleliu and was brought to the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo last October 22.

He is detained in a container van located at the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board inside the camp.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/28/14/defense-chief-sees-backlash-if-vfa-terminated