Duterte retained US military deal as ‘concession’ for vaccines

Duterte had moved to end the 23-year-old military deal over US criticism related to his government's human-rights record. - Reuters

MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said US vaccine donations convinced him to keep a military deal between the two long-time allies that forms a key part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to counter Chinese influence in the region.

At a late Monday (Aug 2) briefing, Duterte said he agreed to continue the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US as a "concession” for donated coronavirus shots, including more than 3 million Moderna Inc. doses scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.