FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he has issued a diplomatic note to the US ambassador, indicating the Philippine government’s intent to suspend for six months the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Locsin said he issued the note on June 1 on instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The United States welcomes the Philippine government’s decision. Our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines. #FriendsPartnersAllies @dfaphl https://t.co/zqGzUq1kC8 pic.twitter.com/GxiYSRinSl

— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) June 2, 2020