The United States is looking for a longer term for its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines, even as it gave assurances that its military will remain in the Indo-Pacific region after the end of the Trump administration as it checks China and its aggressive behavior, prompting an angry retort from Beijing’s embassy in Manila. National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien said the US wants to have a longer period for its security agreement with Manila, which the latter had just extended for another six months after moving for its termination in February this year. O’Brien was in Manila on Monday for a ceremonial turnover to officials led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. of some $18 million worth of precision guided munitions for the Philippine military’s campaign against Islamic extremists in Mindanao.

Acosta, R., & Mercene, R. (2020, November 25). US, China spar over O'Brien's remarks on SCS. Business Mirror, pp. A8, A2.