Philippines intends to end security pact with US

The Philippines notified the United States on Tuesday it intended to end a major security pact that allowed American forces to train in the country, in the most serious threat to their treaty alliance under President Rodrigo Duterte. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that Manilas notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement was received by the deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Manila.

Locsin signed the notice on orders of Duterte, who has often criticised US security policies while praising those of China and Russia despite the Philippine militarys close ties with its American counterpart.

The termination of the agreement would take effect 180 days after Washington received Manilas notice, Philippine presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

The accord, known by its acronym VFA, began in 1999 to legally allow the entry of American forces along with US military ships and aircraft to the Philippines for joint training with Filipino troops.

The US is a longtime treaty ally, a major trading partner and the largest development aid provider to the Philippines.

In a Senate hearing last week, Locsin spoke out against abrogating the security accord with Washington, warning that it would undermine Philippine security and foster aggression in the disputed South China Sea.