Philippines Says US Military Deal 'In Full Force Again' 07/30/21 AT 12:23 AM Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has walked back on a decision to end a key military deal with the United States, his defence secretary said Friday during a visit by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin. Duterte told the United States in February last year he planned to axe the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after Washington cancelled the visa of a close ally who led his internationally condemned war on drugs. The deal has been prolonged three times since then, most recently in June after months of negotiations between the two sides.