Duterte extends Philippines' military deal with US

Extension will give Biden time to renegotiate current agreement

Sailors prepare aircraft on the carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 2. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has extended a troop deal with the U.S., giving President-elect Joe Biden more time to negotiate. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

November 11, 2020 18:19 JST

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to extend the Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S., Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Wednesday, amid continuing tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea.

The extension would give Manila and Washington, which will usher in a new administration under Joe Biden as President in January, more time to discuss options for the troops deal, a key aspect of their defense alliance, an analyst said.