EDITORIAL - A disproportionate response

The US Embassy has cancelled the visa of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. It was Dela Rosa himself who confirmed that his visa had indeed been cancelled and said no reason was given as to why. However, he suspects it had to do with his war against drugs, perceived to be a war against human rights and the poor by some sectors abroad.

The cancellation also comes in the heels of the announcement of the US government that it was cancelling the visas of those responsible for the imprisonment of Philippines Sen. Leila de Lima.

However, since the US government has never been in the habit of telling US visa applicants why they were denied one, it’s probably safe to say we will never hear from the US government as to why they cancelled Dela Rosa’s visa.

Of course, President Duterte was livid, and he has threatened to cancel the Visiting Forces Agreement if the US doesn’t “correct” the cancellation of the senator’s visa.

Let’s get this straight; it is well within Duterte’s right as president to terminate the VFA at any time. According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza, it can even be done unilaterally, or just by one of the parties, without needing the approval of the other.

However, for Duterte to do this just because the US visa of his favorite policeman was cancelled? That seems too shallow or petty a reason.

We stand to lose a lot if the VFA is cancelled. Aside from Foreign Military Aid, if we lose the VFA we lose a lot in terms of weapons, equipment, and vehicles, among others. Our servicemen will also miss out on valuable training when it comes to tactics, securing our borders against terror, among others.

If ever the VFA is cancelled, it should be for a valid reason that puts us at a huge disadvantage compared to the other party in the agreement, it should not stem from a cancelled visa.

If Duterte wants to retaliate for what he sees is a move by the US to undermine our sovereignty, then he should respond in kind, preferably a diplomatic riposte. Cancel a US visa, a tit-for-tat in the right sense of the word.

Duterte must also not forget that Dela Rosa’s having a US visa wasn’t a right, but a privilege extended by another country. If the US decides to cancel that privilege, no amount of haranguing or threatening will change its mind.