Philippines to keep suspending move to scrap military pact with U.S.

The Philippines said Wednesday it will suspend for another six months its earlier decision to discontinue a visiting forces agreement with the United States.Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said in a statement that the move is to allow both parties to arrive at a "more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement."The government of President Rodrigo Duterte first served notice to cancel the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with its long-time defense ally on Feb. 11, starting a 180-day termination period.But in June, the Philippines held off the…READ FULL ARTICLE