Press Release
September 2, 2009
The labor party-list group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) called on Sen. Miriam Santiago to push for the abrogation of the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Renato Magtubo, chairperson of PM, stated that, “The American troops in the country have overstayed their welcome, they are now bwisitors. The soonest the GI Joes are out of the Philippines, the better. With several allegations of sexual harassment on the American troops, they are fast becoming known as a band of rapists.”
The group said that the workers welcome any move that will question the VFA. “It is a step in the right direction if Sen. Santiago moves for renegotiation of the VFA. But it is even better if she recommends the termination of the notorious VFA,” insisted Magtubo.
PM is questioning the fact that the VFA has allowed the permanent basing of the US troops in the country thus negating the gains of the removal of the former American bases in the early 1990’s. “Year in and year out, American troops are in several critical areas in Mindanao, essentially establishing permanent bases and facilities under the cover of the provisions of the VFA despite the prohibition in the Constitution,” argued Magtubo.
He added that “Like the former bases in Clark and Subic, the continued presence of US troops have spawned social problems as shown by the cases of Nicole and Vanessa. It has even worsened the scourge of corruption with anomalies in the Balikatan funds as exposed by Ltsg. Nancy Gadian.” PM was actively involved in the campaign to seek justice for Nicole.
“The war against the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah cannot be used as an alibi for basing US troops in Mindanao for they are not supposed to be involved in combat or even advisory roles in a purely internal matter. In fact, the presence of US troops are inflaming Islamic insurgency since it serves as agitation for propaganda. It has to be remembered that Al Queda started and grew as a reaction to the basing of foreign, principally American, military forces in the Muslim holy lands of Saudi Arabia,” Magtubo elaborated.
Showing posts with label US troops out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US troops out. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Smith’s acquittal consummates betrayal of justice
PRESS STATEMENT
23 April 2009
Before fingers are pointed at Nicole again for doing a disservice to her own defense by virtue of her retraction and the choice for a normal life, we stand firm on our view that Daniel Smith’s acquittal merely consummates the betrayal of justice perpetrated by both the US and the Philippine governments.
It was a wanton betrayal of Philippine sovereignty when the Arroyo government gave up its jurisdiction over the convicted US criminal. Smith must have been very thankful to our Senate for ratifying the Visiting Forces Agreement which served as the latter’s strongest defense.
In particular, it was a wilful betrayal of a woman’s right when Nicole, the rape victim, found herself helpless from her own government. Nicole did fight, but found herself at the losing end upon seeing her violator live his sentence under the loving care of his own government. Nicole’s lawyer did fight, the women’s movement also did fight, but the Philippine government is neither on their and Nicole’s side.
So what do we expect from this kind of situation? Truly, this decision is not only a shameful rendition of how the rule of law is upheld in this country but also on how our foreign policy reverted back to colonial relations.
23 April 2009
Before fingers are pointed at Nicole again for doing a disservice to her own defense by virtue of her retraction and the choice for a normal life, we stand firm on our view that Daniel Smith’s acquittal merely consummates the betrayal of justice perpetrated by both the US and the Philippine governments.
It was a wanton betrayal of Philippine sovereignty when the Arroyo government gave up its jurisdiction over the convicted US criminal. Smith must have been very thankful to our Senate for ratifying the Visiting Forces Agreement which served as the latter’s strongest defense.
In particular, it was a wilful betrayal of a woman’s right when Nicole, the rape victim, found herself helpless from her own government. Nicole did fight, but found herself at the losing end upon seeing her violator live his sentence under the loving care of his own government. Nicole’s lawyer did fight, the women’s movement also did fight, but the Philippine government is neither on their and Nicole’s side.
So what do we expect from this kind of situation? Truly, this decision is not only a shameful rendition of how the rule of law is upheld in this country but also on how our foreign policy reverted back to colonial relations.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
US Troops Out of Mindanao; Genuine Self-Determination for Moros Now
The United States' involvement in the war in Mindanao can no longer be denied. Several times in the last month, at the height of Philippine military offensives against Moro fighters, US soldiers were repeatedly seen with Filipino troops, helping recover bombs, evacuating casualties, or joining Filipino troops in Philippine military camps throughout Mindanao. The Philippine military itself categorically confirmed that the US military has been providing it with "technical assistance" in pursuit of Moro rebels.
All these continue a pattern of reports that have accumulated in the last few years: Just in February, a Filipino general confirmed that it was the crew of a US spy plane that provided the intelligence which resulted in an operation in which eight civilians, including a pregnant woman and two children, were killed in Maimbung, Sulu.
The latest revelations that the US has been expanding its military structures in Zamboanga City not only confirm what we have been warning against; they heighten our concern that the US intends to stay in the Philippines for the long-haul.
In joining Filipino troops in their operations, providing them information, locating bombs, rescuing casualties, or giving technical assistance, the US military is clearly involved in actual combat in the Philippines. In stationing troops and equipment in various military facilities in the south, the US has established permanent basing in the country.
Not only is this patently unconstitutional, it also further contributes to escalating and exacerbating the violence and insecurity in Mindanao, drawing parties towards all-out war, away from a just and peaceful resolution.
We therefore demand that US troops immediately withdraw from all of Mindanao and that no US troops be involved in any operations.
We likewise demand that the Philippine military desists from further military offensives, that it immediately pulls out its troops from the region, and that it returns to the negotiating table.
We oppose the arming of civilians by the Philippine government and demand the immediate disbandment of militias and private armies.
We denounce the targeting and killing of innocent civilians by any side and we demand justice and reparations for all those who have been killed, displaced, and affected by the war.
To address the root causes of the war, we support an agreement that would genuinely advance the Moro's and the indigenous people's right to self-determination – as they themselves define it, free from others' imposition and intervention. This entails recognizing and respecting the Bangsamoro people's right to self-rule.
In any agreement, the indigenous peoples' rights must at all times be assured and protected through specific provisions and measures. While we call for the indigenous people's rights not to be subsumed under those of the Bangsamoro, we oppose efforts to set one oppressed people against another and we refuse to allow one oppressed peoples' rights to be used to deprive another people of theirs.
Narrow vested interests of local and foreign powers should not be allowed to stand in the way of guaranteeing the universal right to self-determination. For it is only by advancing the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro and the indigenous peoples that lasting peace and justice can be achieved.
PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA
STOP THE WAR! COALITION- PHILIPPINES
15 September 2008
All these continue a pattern of reports that have accumulated in the last few years: Just in February, a Filipino general confirmed that it was the crew of a US spy plane that provided the intelligence which resulted in an operation in which eight civilians, including a pregnant woman and two children, were killed in Maimbung, Sulu.
The latest revelations that the US has been expanding its military structures in Zamboanga City not only confirm what we have been warning against; they heighten our concern that the US intends to stay in the Philippines for the long-haul.
In joining Filipino troops in their operations, providing them information, locating bombs, rescuing casualties, or giving technical assistance, the US military is clearly involved in actual combat in the Philippines. In stationing troops and equipment in various military facilities in the south, the US has established permanent basing in the country.
Not only is this patently unconstitutional, it also further contributes to escalating and exacerbating the violence and insecurity in Mindanao, drawing parties towards all-out war, away from a just and peaceful resolution.
We therefore demand that US troops immediately withdraw from all of Mindanao and that no US troops be involved in any operations.
We likewise demand that the Philippine military desists from further military offensives, that it immediately pulls out its troops from the region, and that it returns to the negotiating table.
We oppose the arming of civilians by the Philippine government and demand the immediate disbandment of militias and private armies.
We denounce the targeting and killing of innocent civilians by any side and we demand justice and reparations for all those who have been killed, displaced, and affected by the war.
To address the root causes of the war, we support an agreement that would genuinely advance the Moro's and the indigenous people's right to self-determination – as they themselves define it, free from others' imposition and intervention. This entails recognizing and respecting the Bangsamoro people's right to self-rule.
In any agreement, the indigenous peoples' rights must at all times be assured and protected through specific provisions and measures. While we call for the indigenous people's rights not to be subsumed under those of the Bangsamoro, we oppose efforts to set one oppressed people against another and we refuse to allow one oppressed peoples' rights to be used to deprive another people of theirs.
Narrow vested interests of local and foreign powers should not be allowed to stand in the way of guaranteeing the universal right to self-determination. For it is only by advancing the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro and the indigenous peoples that lasting peace and justice can be achieved.
PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA
STOP THE WAR! COALITION- PHILIPPINES
15 September 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)