Pangilinan, meanwhile, called for the abrogation of the VFA in view of the Medellin v. Texas ruling. “Many arguments are borne out of fear. But what we must fear is the violation of our Constitution. What we must fear is the violation of our rights,” Pangilinan said.
Another convener, UP College of Law Professor Harry Roque, said the VFA and the presence of US troops violate the Constitution. He also described the plight of “Nicole” as an example of what can happen under the VFA.
Evalyn Ursua, former lawyer for “Nicole” and also a Junk VFA Movement convener, said the fight against the VFA goes beyond “Nicole”. “While I have ceased to be ‘Nicole’s’ lawyer, I, as a citizen who loves this country, remain committed to the cause of obtaining justice in ‘Nicole’s’ case and putting an end to the iniquitous Visiting Forces Agreement. The ‘Nicole that I and the other lawyers represented is beyond the woman that ‘Nicole’ and her family thought she is. ‘Nicole’ is every Filipino woman who was and will be raped by American soldiers. ‘Nicole’ can happen again. And so the fight against the VFA and the presence of US troops in the country must continue,” Ursua said.
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1st Movement) chairman Elmer “Bong” Labog said the fight must go beyond the courts, and must reach the streets and even the international community.
“We now have an unusual opportunity to right the wrongs that brought dishonor to our country, Labog said.(Bulatlat.com)
