Loren allays concerns over SOVFA

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate foreign relations committee has set clear-cut rules on criminal jurisdiction under the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia.

In a statement, Sen. Loren Legarda assured Sen. Joker Arroyo that his concern over possible abuses in relation to SOVFA has been addressed.

“It is unfortunate that allegations of sexual abuse against minors in Australian forces have surfaced,” she said.

Legarda said the proposed SOVFA with Australia addresses the sensitive issue of criminal jurisdiction through a clear set of rules.

Under the rules, the receiving state has primary jurisdiction over all offenses that fall outside official duty, she added.

Legarda said the provisions of the SOVFA on criminal jurisdiction do not grant to offenders any kind of immunity from criminal prosecution for offenses committed in the Philippines.

“No offender from the visiting forces who commits a crime in the Philippines will escape justice under the SOVFA,” she said.

She “will be the first one to protest against any such abuses if perpetrated against a Filipino,” she added.

Legarda chairs the Senate foreign relations committee.