Manila, Sept. 17 -- The Philippines on Wednesday welcomed the United Kingdom's (UK) intention to forge a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Manila, calling it a clear show of support for the country's position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. confirmed London's offer in a letter from the British defense minister, which he described as "a very welcome development."

"It will be the second European country that we will be negotiating a SOVFA (Status of Visiting Forces Agreement) with," Teodoro told reporters in Malacanang.

"Underlying that SOVFA is the full support (of UK), not only for the UNCLOS, for international law, but full support the arbitral award," he added, referring to the 2016 arbitra...