Noy unable to raise VFA issue with Obama

YOKOHAMA – President Aquino was not able to raise the country’s concerns about the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) during his brief meeting with US President Barack Obama but he did bring up issue of the adverse travel advisories against the Philippines.

At the conclusion of the summit last Sunday, Aquino had a short talk with Obama during a lunch among leaders.

He explained to Obama that other countries in Europe and Asia had experienced worse terror attacks but are receiving lower alerts. Obama promised to look into the matter.

Aquino also raised the issue of the adverse travel advisories during the APEC chief executive officers’ summit where he was one of the panelists along with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, and during a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France and United Kingdom issued travel advisories scaring away potential investors.

The issuance of alerts came amid calls for review of the VFA.