Philippines' Duterte still undecided on future of US troop deal

[TexasTowelie]

MANILA (Reuters) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he has not made a decision yet on the future of the two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA with the United States, leaving the fate of the pact hanging in the balance.

Duterte has said the United States should pay more if it wants to maintain the VFA, which he unilaterally cancelled last year in an angry response to an ally being denied a U.S. visa.

The withdrawal period has been twice extended, however, to create what Philippine officials say is a window for better terms to be agreed.

“I have not yet decided on what to do, to abrogate or renew,” Duterte said in a late-night televised address on Wednesday. “I want to hear the people. I want narratives to come.”

Read more: https://mvariety.com/news/philippines-duterte-still-undecided-on-future-of-us-troop-deal/article_7710eb98-7767-11eb-8faa-93a4e937f468.html
(Marianas Variety)

[House of Roberts]

1. Maybe he'd rather have the Chinese provide his security.

We shouldn't pay a thug like Duterte one thin dime to base our military in his country, while his human rights record is so horrid.