Manila, March 25 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has greenlighted negotiations for possible visiting forces agreements (VFAs) with France and other countries, Malacanang said on Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that Marcos had authorized Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to start the VFA discussions.

"Opo, naaprubahan na po iyan, ang pakikipag-negotiate po para po magkaroon po ng agreement ang dalawang bansa po (Yes, that has been approved, the negotiations for the two countries to have an agreement)," Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

"Hindi lamang po ang France. May iba pa pong bansa na maaaring sumunod po dito at iyan po naman ay inaprubahan ...