Pasay City, 25 August 2021 (TDI): United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Commander Admiral John C. Aquilino paid a courtesy call on Secretary of Philippines Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. yesterday as part of his two-day visit to Manila.
Aquilino welcomed the progress on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) – a decision to recall the abrogation since its termination notice last February 2020 – for continued cooperation. The admiral sees the Philippines and the U.S. as sovereign, equal defense partners in ensuring peace and prosperity in the region, and reiterated the U.S.’ commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty. He added that the INDOPACOM – responsible for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific region – is ready to support vaccine delivery to the Philippines.
