This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 51, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2007
Cordillera Groups Hit ASEAN
Anti-terror, Agri Pacts
Cordillera-based organizations denounced the agreements on anti-terrorism and
agriculture made at the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu. BY PAM
ANICETO AND KIM QUITASOL BAGUIO CITY (246 kms from Manila) –
Cordillera-based organizations last week denounced the agreements on
anti-terrorism and agriculture made at the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu. Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA)
chairperson Beverly Longid said that the ASEAN covenant on anti-terrorism signed
last January 16 would worsen the already escalating political killings in the
country. “This is really a cause for alarm especially
to legitimate progressive organizations the Macapagal-Arroyo administration
tagged as terrorist organizations,” Longid said, adding that most victims of
political killings are members and supporters of these organizations. She said that the covenant does not have a
clear definition of a terrorist or a terrorist act. “It could be any
organization or anybody who is critical of the government.” Longid added that it is the latest effort of
the United States to protect its political and economic hegemony in Asia
specifically with ASEAN members. With the covenant, she said that anti-terror
measures would now be implemented at the regional level. As this developed, Alyansya dagiti Pesante
iti Taeng Kordilyera (Apit Tako) spokesperson Fernando Bagyan said that the
ASEAN agreement on agriculture would only worsen the impoverished state of small
farmers in the country. He cited as an example the government's bilateral
agreement with China to invest P240 billion ($4.89 billion, based on an exchange
rate of P49.09 per US dollar) worth of agricultural projects. He said that
because of the failure of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to forge agreements
on agriculture, more developed countries resorted to other bilateral and
multilateral agreements. Bagyan said that the Arroyo administration
facilitated the entry of imported vegetables that would stamp out small farmers.
He said that Cordillera farmers will lose on the said agreement, despite news
that China would open its market for fruits from the Philippines. “Only multi-national companies like Dole
would benefit from this agreement.” He said that the agricultural agreement has
adverse impact on the country's food security as crops would be produced for
export and not for local consumption. He said that the agreement included the
importation of vegetables from neighboring countries and the development of
200,000 hectares for rice, corn and sorghum production to be exported to East
Asian countries that are experiencing food insufficiency. Bagyan said that instead of forging
agreements with more advanced countries, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration
should instead adopt a genuine and pro-farmer agriculture policy. He said that
the government should develop agricultural technology and use traditional crops
and agriculture practices for the Filipino people and not for export.
Bulatlat © 2007 Bulatlat
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Northern Dispatch
Reposted by Bulatlat