President Rodrigo Duterte announced the move after the United States refused to grant a state visa to his associate - Philippine Senator Ronald Della Rossa

• Filipino soldiers // Photo: GettyImages

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has officially issued a warning to the United States about his decision to terminate the bilateral military cooperation agreement (VFA). That's how Reuters released its statement on Tuesday, citing the concerns of senior officials, and a repeated threat from the Philippines to lower its defense alliance.

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Netanyahu Meeting and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte // Photo: PM

The statement issued by President Duterte's government, which did not previously conceal his resentment towards the United States, made it clear that Duterte believed it was time for the Philippines to become more militarily independent. "It is time for us to rely on ourselves, we will strengthen our defenses and not rely on any other country," said a briefing, according to spokesman Delvedor Penallo, quoting President Duterte.

President Duterte: "It's time for us to rely on ourselves" // Photo: IP

This is not the first time Duterte has presented a hostile front to US military cooperation with his country, though this move comes after the United States refused to issue a state visa for one of Duterte's associates, Philippine Senator Ronald Della Rossa.

The military cooperation agreement signed in 1998 between the two countries actually allows US and Philippine military forces to carry out joint maneuvers each year. In addition, the agreement allows the legal placement of thousands of American soldiers in the country for military training and humanitarian purposes.

US Navy Exercise in the South China Sea // Photo: APP

The original purpose for which the agreement was signed is to strengthen the US presence in the South China Sea, where the Chinese frequently intensify their attempts to control the region and acquire international territories and territories of other countries in aggressive ways, including the territories of the Philippines.

In addition to the current Cooperation Agreement (VFA), which the Philippines is seeking to conclude, the Philippines-US defense relationship extends to the 1950s and is carried out by a Mutual Protection Treaty (MTD), which remains in force at this stage, along with the Cooperation Agreement. Defensive (EDCA) conducted under the Obama administration, approved in the 2016 Supreme Court of the Philippines which essentially allows Americans to hold military forces in the country for long periods, but does not allow the establishment of permanent bases in the country.