PRRD Gives US 30 Days Ultimatum To Correct Bato’s Visa Cancellation Or End VFA

President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to terminate the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States if they fail to “correct” its cancellation of the visa of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

In a speech in San Isidro, Leyte, President Duterte gave the U.S. government one month to do the “correction” or they can say goodbye to the agreement.

“I’m warning you, this is the first time. If you do not correct that, one, I will terminate the bases’ Visiting Forces Agreement. I will end that...,” the President said.


“I’m giving notice and they begin to count. I’m giving the government and the American government one month from now, we’ll speak and I’ll kick them out. No more bases, they have to start to talk to us because they have to go. They’re disrespectful,” he added.

The VFA between the Philippines and the United States exempts U.S. military personnel from visa and passport regulations in the Philippines.

In addition, President Duterte threatened to bar the entry of all senators who voted in favor of the controversial resolution that prohibits Filipino officials supposedly behind the arrest and continued detention of Senator Leila de Lima from entering their country.

“They really believe the case against De Lima is fabricated by the Philippine government. They won’t believe it,” he said.

Senator Dela Rosa confirmed on Wednesday that his US visa was canceled, and said he was advised by the U.S. Embassy to reapply if he wanted to renew his visa.

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On Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the cancellation of Senator Dela Rosa’s visa was not an issue because every country has the right to allow or disallow any citizen of another country entry into their territory.

“That is the prerogative and right of any state to disallow or to allow any citizen of any country. I don’t know what reason it was canceled,” he said.

The cancellation of Senator Dela Rosa’s visa came after U.S. President Donald Trump invited President Duterte and his fellow Southeast Asian leaders to a summit in Las Vegas, Nevada in March this year.

“I just received an invitation to go to the United States together with the ASEAN leaders. I haven’t been to the States,” the President said.

Asked if he would travel to the US, President Duterte said, “No.”

Source: MB