The Philippine government on Wednesday defended its agreement with the United States on visiting forces as "important, useful and relevant" even when majority of senators in the country call for the review of the treaty.

Lawmakers and anti-US groups have demanded the scrapping of the pact following reports of alleged "overstaying" American troops who are aiding the Philippine military in hunting down Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Southern Philippines.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) respects the views of the Senate and will consider the comments and concerns they have expressed on the Philippines-United States Visiting Forces Agreement," the DFA said in a statement.

According to the DFA, there were concerns raised that the Presidential Commission on the VFA (VFACOM), which is co-chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of National Defense, will initiate a review of the VFA.

"The VFACOM shall present in due time appropriate recommendations based on the results of the review," the DFA said.

In defense of the treaty, the DFA stressed that the VFA, which was signed in 1998, is indispensable to the nation's security.

"The Philippines' relationship with the United States in general, and its defense and security cooperation in particular, constitute a strategic partnership that is long-standing and mutually beneficial. With no other country does the Philippines have such deep and diversified ties," it said.

The DFA said the accord permits the AFP access to new defense technologies, systems, best practices, models and information that can be adapted to suit Philippine requirements.

U.S. military presence in Mindanao, under the auspices of the VFA, has been credited to reducing terrorist threats in the region.

The VFA governs the treatment of US servicemen in military units and defense personnel who are in the Philippine territory for short periods for joint military exercises approved by both the Philippine and US governments.

It entered into force on May 27, 1999, eight years after the closure of U.S. military bases in the Philippines in 1991.

Source: Xinhua