The Philippine gov'ts decision to terminate....>

ASIA: The Philippine gov'ts decision to terminate the visiting forces agreement

(VFA) in place with the US risks further deterioration in the security

environment in the Asia-Pacific region.

- On President Duterte's orders, Foreign Sec. Teodoro Locsin notified the US

Embassy of the termination of the VFA, which will now expire in 180 days. The

VFA has been in place since 1999, and allowed US troops to train in the country.

- The mercurial Duterte has frequently criticised the presence of US forces in

the Philippines, instead seeking a closer relationship with China and Russia.

- Historically, the Philippines has formed part of a line of containment with

regards to China's military presence in the South China Sea (SCS) and the

Pacific Ocean. The US holds various military and defence treaties with Japan,

South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, forming an

almost unbroken barrier to Chinese expansion in the region. 

- Should the end of the VFA signal a substantial shift in Manilla's foreign

policy allegiance, it could result in greater military risk in the Pacific as

China continues to expand its navy and lay claim to larger areas of the SCS.