Bulatlat - The Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine

This story was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VII, No. 3, Feb. 18-24, 2007

As Balikatan resumes
Bayan Challenges Candidates to Junk VFA

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) hit the resumption of Balikatan exercises in Mindanao and called on senatorial and congressional candidates to take a stand against the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat

The Balikatan Exercise 2007 formally opened in Sulu, Feb. 14. Joint military exercises will start next week.

Dr. Carol Araullo, Bayan chairperson, challenged candidates to join them in demanding the cancellation of Balikatan exercises and the junking of the VFA. She said, "The nation is in dire need of patriotic leaders who will defend the nation's sovereignty and integrity especially at this time when the leaders of the land commit acts of treason."

"If indeed senators want to discuss issues in their campaign, then the issues of the VFA, Subic rape, and Balikatan are pressing and urgent. Are there no senators or congressmen willing to stand up against foreign interests?" Araullo said.

Araullo also said that Mrs .Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Secretaries Raul Gonzalez of Justice and Alberto Romulo of Foreign Affairs "conspired with the U.S. government in raping the nation's dignity" when they allowed the return of convicted U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith to U.S. custody.

The Supreme Court recently ordered the government to comment on the petition filed by Bayan and allied organizations questioning the constitutionality of the VFA. Ermita and Secretaries Raul Gonzalez and Romulo are given 10 days to submit their comments.

Araullo said that the supervening events underscored the correctness of the demand for VFA's abrogation.

The Bayan leader also scored so-called humanitarian missions conducted by American troops. "After the conviction of Smith, the U.S. Embassy embarked on a campaign to portray their soldiers as heroes. Ironically, such publicity stunt exemplifies their callousness."

Araullo said the U.S. military presence endangers the lives of the Filipino people. Araullo showed a picture of a woman who was hit by M203 shrapnel during war exercises in Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu on Sept. 4, 2006. Araullo said, "There may be more similar incidents that have not been documented yet."

Bayan announced that they will hold a protest rally in front of the U.S. Embassy on Monday. Bulatlat

Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.