Statement of the U.S. Embassy on Recall of VFA Abrogation
Manila, July 30, 2021 — The United States welcomes President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to recall the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). We strongly believe that the VFA, and the broader alliance that the VFA enables, strengthens not only the security of our two nations, but also the rules-based order that benefits all nations in the Indo-Pacific. As U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said, “A strong, resilient U.S.-Philippine alliance will remain vital to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. A fully restored VFA will help us achieve that goal together.”