Visiting Forces Agreement is the latest in a long line of military agreement between Philippines and United States that’s why VFA is considered as the framework for all US Philippine agreement. This agreement is used for the development of Philippines Military force with the presence of United States military force. VFA is considered as an affair agreement between U.S and Philippines. This is a unilateral agreement used to extend the power of the US In South East ASEAN country. This agreement gives American soldiers immunity privileges in and out of the country. It was signed on February 10, 1998 and was ratified on 1999. In the United States VFA is just an Executive Order. While in the VFA is considered as a treaty. But still these two parties should act on good faith. United States needs ports, training facilities and logical bases. To keep Philippines pro United States to spy China. VFA is needed by US to support base.
VFA’s provision is against Philippine constitution. That’s why Filipino’s think that Vfa is a bastardization of Philippines sovereignty since US nationals has no respect on Philippines law and regulations. At some point VFA is used by the US as an “EXTRA Territory of the United States Considering that in the VFA it was not also mentioned who among the Philippine official’s approve the so called “ activities”. And it does not set the number of American Troops.
The special privileges of US soldier under VFA are; exemption from Philippine regulations such as passport and visa, drivers license, vehicle restrictions and payment of custom duties and taxes. Criminal Jurisdiction is one of the most unbelievable privileges that VFA provides US nationals since they have special process in Philippine Trial Court. Another privilege that US nationals receive is that they are allowed to use restricted nuclear arms that can destroy Philippines environment
Actually VFA is not the problem rather the so called “extent of activities” that Philippines provide for US military force. Philippines is vulnerable to conflict because of the VFA.
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