AMERICAN President Joe Biden has written to President Duterte with the hope of sustaining Philippine—United States relations and possibly set up a meeting between the two leaders, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said yesterday.
Romualdez said the US government likewise remains “hopeful” that the Philippine government would change its mind about terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Manila and Washington.
“President Biden wrote to President Duterte not only on the occasion of the 75th anniversary but to also inform him about the relationship between the United States and the Philippines will continue and that he hopes that he will be able to meet in person with the President at some point in time, “ Romualdez said in mixed Filipino and English.
Romuladez said Biden also hopes to talk with all the other leaders in Southeast Asia before a possible “in-person meeting” in Brunei in November.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, however, could not confirm if the President had received the letter but said that he would inquire.
Roque also said the President has no decision yet on the VFA.
“The President has been pondering on the issue and has a bigger framework of analysis, and let’s just await his decision because he is the only one who can decide on this matter,” he said adding that he could not say if the reported plans of the US to donate COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines would be a factor in the President’s decision.
Duterte ordered the termination of the VFA last year, which was supposed to take effect on August 9, 2020 but suspended the notice in June. He asked for a six-month extension of the termination process and cited political and regional developments. In November 2020, the Philippines said it would extend the suspension by another six months.
The VFA provides a legal framework for the entry of American troops, ships and aircraft in the country for joint training with Filipino soldiers.
