Rappler's latest stories on Philippines-US relations
Dela Rosa says U.S. offered visa after Duterte-Trump call
(UPDATED) Taking up the United States on its offer, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa says he will go to the American embassy after quarantine restrictions are eased
2 U.S. carrier strike groups hold drills in PH Sea amid China airspace control fears
The Western Pacific's traditional power showcases its naval might as China plans to establish an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea
vU.S. State Dept, ambassador 'concerned' by Ressa verdict, call for free speech
America calls for a resolution of the case 'in a way that reinforces the U.S. and Philippines’ long shared commitment to freedom of expression, including for members of the press'
VFA termination suspended due to pandemic, geopolitics – Locsin
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr says the Philippines looks forward to continuing its 'strong military partnership' with the United States while reaching out to regional allies
Lorenzana welcomes suspension of VFA repeal
(UPDATED) 'In times of crises and global uncertainty, it is our belief that nations are only made stronger if we work together and focus our efforts on tackling the various challenges that confront us all,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Philippines suspends VFA termination for now
(UPDATED) The United States welcomes the suspension, which will last for an initial period of 6 months
U.S. State Department approves possible sale of attack helicopters to PH
To give the Philippine military a much-needed boost in air power, the government is looking to buy 6 attack helicopters from US-based suppliers
Pompeo urges ASEAN to call out Beijing's moves in South China Sea during pandemic
'The U.S. strongly opposes China’s bullying and we hope other nations will hold them to account too,' says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
U.S. donates P203 million to help PH fight coronavirus outbreak
Health assistance will go to preparing laboratories for processing of coronavirus tests as well as surveillance efforts to trace possible coronavirus cases
Balikatan exercises canceled because of coronavirus
(UPDATED) What would have been the last iteration of the yearly drills between Filipino and American forces has been called off to protect soldiers’ health, says the US Indo-Pacific Command
Rappler Talk: Ex-VFA chief Edilberto Adan on cutting the military pact with the U.S.
Bookmark this page: Former Visiting Forces Agreement Commission executive director Edilberto Adan talks about the importance of the military deal and the impact of its repeal
U.S. admiral on VFA repeal: A little disappointing but relationship not lost
US Pacific Fleet Commander John Aquilino is leading a port call of the aircraft carrier strike group Theodore Roosevelt in Vietnam, which uncharacteristically skipped the Philippines in its Indo-Pacific voyage
Choose U.S. or China? Carpio offers 3rd way
Terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement will make the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement useless, says retired justice Antonio Carpio
Hope for VFA? 'Door is not totally shut,' says PH envoy to US
'We cannot ignore a country like the US,' says Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez
Can PH defend itself without U.S. help? We can, we will, we should – AFP
The die is cast, says the military
Duterte insists VFA repeal not a ‘knee-jerk reaction’
‘I am the most deliberate. That’s why I’m awake until 6 o’clock, just thinking of what I have to do,’ says the President
Makati Business Club: 'Strong' U.S. ties important for PH economy, security
The Makati Business Club expresses concern over the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, saying it may 'affect other security agreements'
LIVE: Senate hearing on Senate concurrence in ending treaties
Watch the Senate hearing live on Rappler
'Fortunately,' there won’t be pushback from military over VFA – Trillanes
The former Navy sailor who led two mutinies says the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a professional institution, and will weather the President’s order to repeal the pact with its biggest military ally
No more VFA? PH, U.S. ‘will work out something else’ – Romualdez
Nothing’s certain, but based on history, the two countries will figure out a way to move bilateral relations forward, says the Philippine ambassador to the US
Senators to question VFA termination at Supreme Court
No less than Senate President Vicente Sotto III is preparing the petition raising the need for Senate concurrence in ending treaties
[OPINION | NEWSPOINT] Where is the outrage?
The case takes a Shakespearean quality. King Rodrigo swings away with his sword screaming, proffering a crazy deal: the VFA for an American visa for a favorite horse – Bato de la Rosa.
PH-US break-up on Valentine's week
Need we ask who – or which country – is the third party?
Environment group lauds VFA termination, cites toxic waste U.S. troops left behind
Ending the key military pact with the US is the first step towards exacting justice for thousands of Filipinos whose health suffered because of the hazardous waste the US military left behind in its former bases, says Kalikasan
'Stop whining,' Locsin says after PH sends notice of VFA termination
'Time to grow up,' says Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr
Panelo contradicts Panelo: No Trump, Duterte phone call after all
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo admits to reporters there was no scheduled call to begin with
No more military exercises with U.S. when VFA lapses – Lorenzana
Although planned joint exercises may still continue in the next 6 months, there won’t be any when the termination of the military pact takes effect, says the defense chief
Robredo to Duterte: Why so quick to act on VFA but slow on novel coronavirus?
Vice President Leni Robredo questions the President's motive for scrapping the VFA, especially since members of his own Cabinet warned that it would largely be against the Philippines' own interests
VFA termination a 'national tragedy,' says Del Rosario
'It is not what we do; it is not what is right,' says former foreign secretary Albert Del Rosario, urging the Duterte government to reconsider its decision
U.S. defense chief: Terminating VFA 'a move in the wrong direction'
(UPDATED) Losing the Visiting Forces Agreement would be a setback in countering China’s aggression in the Asia Pacific region, says US Defense Secretary Mark Esper
Military members disagree with VFA termination – senior officers
Scrapping the key military pact with the US is disadvantageous to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, say two senior military officers who spoke on condition of anonymity
TIMELINE: Duterte's threats to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement
(UPDATED) The Philippines on June 1 suspends its notice to terminate the military pact. How did we get here?
PH notice of VFA termination to have 'significant implications' on relations, says U.S.
The United States says it will 'carefully consider' its next moves as it 'remains committed' to its friendship with the Philippines
In whose interest? Netizens question gov't scrapping of VFA
‘Behold this President, his personal issues over [the] nation’s welfare,’ one netizen says
What will happen to PH military if the VFA is terminated?
Can joint military exercises with American troops continue without the Visiting Forces Agreement? At the very least, mounting them would become a lot more difficult.
Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.
(3rd UPDATE) 'The Executive Secretary sent the message to Secretary Teddyboy Locsin and the latter signed the notice of termination as sent to the US government today,' says Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
PH-U.S. military operations could ‘disappear’ if VFA scrapped – U.S. official
Some 300 joint activities between Philippine and U.S. forces require the VFA as a basis for operations, says U.S. Assistant Secretary of State R. Clarke Cooper
Senate urges Duterte to reconsider plan to scrap VFA
Senators say they should first review the ramifications of withdrawing from the agreement that allows for the presence of US military troops in the Philippines
With VFA uncertain, Duterte lashes out at U.S. once again
'Si Trump pati 'yung others are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement. Sabi ko, ayaw ko,' says President Rodrigo Duterte
No order from Duterte yet to terminate VFA – Lorenzana
'This is fake news,' says the defense secretary about Salvador Panelo's claim that the President has taken steps to instruct Foreign Secretary Locsin to send the notice of termination to the US
FULL TEXT: Locsin on impact assessment of VFA termination
What is at stake and is the Philippines ready to terminate the VFA?
[PODCAST] Dapat nga bang ibasura na ang Visiting Forces Agreement?
Ano ang posibleng implikasyon ng pagbasura ng VFA?
Locsin: Risky for PH to terminate visiting forces agreement with U.S.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr says the 'continuance of the agreement is deemed to be more beneficial' to the country
With threats to scrap VFA, Duterte gambles Philippines' security
Duterte's latest outburst against the US isolates the country from its oldest ally and sows uncertainty against the threat of any Chinese aggression
LIVE: Senate hearing on PH-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement
Watch the hearing live on Rappler
With VFA uncertain, U.S. envoy hails military alliance with PH at WW2 event
US Ambassador Sung Kim highlights the benefits to Filipinos of US military presence, now threatened by the President’s order to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement
PH, U.S. armies look to 'future engagements' amid Duterte order to scrap VFA
Joint activities between Philippine and US forces continue as the Duterte administration moves to terminate the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement
Año: Cabinet will abide by Duterte’s U.S. travel ban
The interior secretary, who says his US visa remains valid, believes the prohibition would exclude emergencies, such as illness requiring medical treatment in the US
No personal U.S. trips for Cabinet members too, says Panelo
'We have to defer to the President's wishes,' says Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
Duterte prohibits Cabinet members from traveling to U.S.
'Parang boycott,' says President Rodrigo Duterte
