Duterte's office said the Philippine president and Austin 'had an open and frank discussion of the status and future direction' of the Philippines-US ties [Robinson Ninal/Malacanang Handout Photo via Reuters]
The Hill: Duterte restores pact allowing US war exercises
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte recommitted his country to a key military agreement with the U.S. during a visit by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after repeatedly threatening to terminate the pact.
Austin, along with Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, announced the restoration of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) during a joint press briefing from Manila on Friday.
Austin thanked Duterte for the renewal, adding, “A strong, resilient US-Philippines alliance will remain vital to the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific," according to CNN.
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More News On President Duterte Restoring Philippines’s Key Military Agreement With The US
Philippine leader retains pact allowing US war exercises -- AP
Philippines renews key military agreement with the United States -- CNN
The Philippine President Says Long-Standing Security Pact With The U.S. Can Continue -- NPR
Philippine President fully restores key U.S. troop pact -- NBC
Duterte restores Philippines’s key military agreement with US -- Al Jazeera
