Feb. 26--As far as the Philippines' national security is concerned, the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States is indispensable, according to an official.

In a fact sheet provided by Acting Foreign Affairs spokesman Ed Malay, he stressed that the RP-US military pact is crucial not only to building a strong Philippines, but also to maintaining a stable Asia-Pacific region.

"The VFA helps ensure that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is equipped with new military strategies and technologies, as well as best practices of the US military that will increase its capacity to respond to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, such as terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters and transnational crimes," Malay said.

The spokesman added that the Philippine military has captured 38 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and have killed 127 others, thanks to the logistic and intelligence assistance provided by the United States. Those killed included high-ranking Abu Sayyaf officials, such as Khadafy Janjalani, their spokesman Abu Solaiman and subcommander Ismin Sahiron.

The Visiting Forces Agreement, which took effect in May 27, 1999, allows the American military to advise Manila on joint hunts for terrorists in the Philippines. But the treaty prohibits the deployment of US combatants here.

Smith custody issue

The treaty drew flak when US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was convicted of raping a Filipina known only as "Nicole" in 2006. Since then, there have been repeated calls to junk the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Smith's transfer from the Makati City Jail to the US Embassy in Manila, which was carried out through agreements between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, continues to draw heated comments.

Earlier on February 11, the Supreme Court had ordered Romulo and Kenney to renegotiate Smith's custody, but there have been no significant developments yet.

"The VFA implements the Philippines' only military alliance, and it's the most effective deterrent against any potential aggressor," Malay said.

Worth $30 million yearly

He added that that the Philippines enjoys priority status in sourcing Excess Defense Articles, because it is a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) of America, and as such, Washington remains the Philippines' largest source of foreign-military financing at an average of $30 million annually in grants.

NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.