The Visiting Forces Agreement, also known as the VFA, has been the subject of much discussion and debate in recent years. With the impending expiration of the agreement in February 2020, it is important for Filipinos to understand the implications of the VFA and its impact on our country.
The VFA is a bilateral agreement between the Philippines and the United States that governs the treatment of U.S. military personnel who are temporarily deployed in the Philippines. The agreement was signed in 1998 and has been in effect for over two decades. It provides for the legal framework that enables U.S. troops to conduct joint military exercises with their Filipino counterparts.
On the surface, the VFA appears to be a mutually beneficial agreement that promotes cooperation between two allies. The U.S. military provides technical assistance, training, and equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), while also helping to maintain regional security and stability in Southeast Asia. In return, the U.S. military is granted certain privileges and immunities, such as exemption from passport and visa regulations, and the right to use designated facilities and areas in the Philippines.
However, critics of the VFA argue that it undermines Philippine sovereignty and violates our constitution. They claim that the agreement places the country at risk of becoming embroiled in U.S. military conflicts and perpetuates a culture of impunity for U.S. servicemen who commit crimes while on Philippine soil. Some have also raised concerns about the environmental impact of U.S. military exercises in our waters and the displacement of local communities.
The recent controversy surrounding the VFA was sparked by the case of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, a U.S. Marine who was convicted of killing Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude in 2014. Pemberton was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was granted early release in September 2020 after serving only six years due to a provision in the VFA that allows for the transfer of custody of U.S. military personnel to U.S. authorities in certain circumstances.
This case has reignited calls for the termination of the VFA and for greater accountability for American servicemen who commit crimes in the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte had previously threatened to scrap the agreement in 2016, but changed his stance after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, in January 2020, he announced his intention to terminate the VFA once again, citing U.S. interference in Philippine affairs and the unequal nature of the agreement.
The termination of the VFA would have significant implications for the Philippines and its relationship with the United States. It could result in the retraction of U.S. military aid and assistance, as well as the loss of access to U.S. military technology and training. It could also have wider consequences for regional security and stability, particularly with regards to China`s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
In conclusion, the VFA is a complex issue that raises important questions about Philippine sovereignty, U.S.-Philippine relations, and regional security. As Filipinos, it is our responsibility to engage in constructive dialogue and debate about the VFA and to ensure that any decisions made about our country`s future are made in the best interests of all Filipinos.