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Palace: No link in US travel alert, VFA review


Malacañang on Friday downplayed speculations of a connection between the United States' travel warning of possible terrorist attacks on the Philippines and the ongoing review of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. "Hindi po. Walang kaugnayan ang VFA (No, there is no connection between the travel advisory and the VFA)," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in an interview on dzBB radio. On Nov. 2, the US State Department warned its nationals in the Philippines of possible terrorist attacks. The warning came a week after a foiled terror attack on the US. Five other countries have also issued travel advisories to its citizens in the Philippines, including France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In response, Malacañang said the travel advisories dismayed President Benigno Aquino, saying there was no enough basis for such warnings. [See story: Not enough basis for travel alerts vs PHL — PNoy] The Philippine government is currently reviewing the VFA, which governs the conduct of US troops staying in the Philippines for joint military exercises. On the other hand, Lacierda pointed out the travel advisories would have negative effect on tourism and the country’s economy. "We'll be asking them [countries that issued travel warnings] if they can downgrade the alert levels, (the) warnings (and) advisories," he added. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

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