The Ambassador said that a
Visiting Forces Agreement is an administrative agreement that standardizes routine procedures, including entry/exit requirements, recognition of professional licenses, and fees for services received.
The entry of US troops has long been authorized under a valid and subsisting treaty, which is the
Visiting Forces Agreement," the SC said in its ruling.
Manila and Washington signed the
Visiting Forces Agreement in 1998, to allow US forces to hold military drills in the Philippines to test the readiness of the allies, and the pact sets legal rules on how to treat erring servicemen.
Three years later, the allies signed the
Visiting Forces Agreement, allowing large-scale military exercises to resume in the country.
Gabriela said that it is renewing its call to abrogate agreements with the US such as the
Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) this 18th Congress.
The senators want to look into the two separate stops in Davao City last June despite the lack of
Visiting Forces Agreement with China.
"The US custody of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, the US Marine who was charged with murder for the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey aACAyJennifer' Laude at Celzone Lodge on Magsaysay Drive in Olongapo on October 11 was never automatic, based on the 1999 US-Philippine
Visiting Forces Agreement," Harry Roque told Gulf News on Wednesday.
Aquino defended the
Visiting Forces Agreement on Monday and said Pemberton's case would not affect it.