Island Nation will not allow U.S. forces to train any longer
On Tuesday, the Philippines notified the United States that it would no longer be participating in a 69-year security pact that allowed U.S. forces to train in the country. Known as the Visiting Forces Agreement, this pact was one of the foundations of the long alliance between the two nations. The termination will go into effect in 180 days unless both sides decide to keep it in the future.
According to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, “it would be a move in the wrong direction,” and was an “unfortunate” development in the relationship between the two countries. The U.S. embassy in Manila received the notification from the Philippine government, and said in a statement that it “will carefully consider how best to move forward to advance our shared interests.”
As the Lord Leads, pray with us…
- That President Trump would build a strong relationship with the Philippines.
- That Secretary Esper would be able to renegotiate a deal that would benefit both nations.
- For the U.S. embassy in Manila to be able to facilitate meaningful conversation.
Sources: AP, NY Times, Wall Street Journal
