By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat.com It has now hit the headlines, the US is negotiating with the Aquino government for an increase in its military presence in the country through more frequent joint military exercises and other military cooperation activities, and an increase in the number of US troops rotating in the country. Recent policy pronouncements…
Tags: VFA
Tucay and his brand of journalism
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA — Marjohara Tucay reminded me of Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at then US President George W. Bush. Although Tucay did not throw his shoes at US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a forum in Manila, he, like al-Zaidi, expressed his disgust over US…
Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA – There is freedom of expression according to the Philippine Constitution, but according to the marchers who protested the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the country, the Aquino government is “giving more priority to Clinton’s stature rather than the Filipinos’ rights.” The protesters who came from…
Satur C. Ocampo | Post-US bases: Concerns remain
By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star In the past two days, I attended two similar but distinct commemorations, at UP Diliman on Tuesday and at Club Filipino yesterday. The events celebrated the 20th anniversary of the historic act by the post-Marcos-dictatorship Senate – on September 16, 1991 that ended the…
Docking of USS Carl Vinson, a violation of the country’s sovereignty
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Activists decried the docking of US warship in Manila Bay as a symbol of US aggression and disregard for the sovereignty of the country. Members of various progressive groups under the banner of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) held a protest action near the US Embassy in Manila,…
Groups Condemn Anew US Military Intervention, VFA
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“No matter how US Ambassador Harry Thomas tries to sugarcoat the Balikatan exercises, it is nothing but massive counterinsurgency operations by US troops in Philippine soil.” – League of Filipino Students
News in Pictures: A Year Since Gregan’s Death, Groups Continue to Demand Justice and Accountability
Marking the first year since the death of Gregan Cardeño, a Filipino who died inside Camp Ranao in Marawi City while working as an interpreter for the US troops, various groups held a memorial rally on Wednesday to demand justice and to hold those behind the incident accountable. (Photo courtesy of Patriotiko Mindanao / bulatlat.com)
Timing of Terror Scare, Travel Advisories Suspect – Progressive Groups
By RONALYN OLEA
LFS chairman Terry Ridon said the greatest terror threat present in the Philippines is the continued US intervention. Gabriela Women’s Party Luzviminda Ilagan added that there is a terror scare because the ‘lopsided VFA not only allows the entry of terrorists in the country, it also guarantees their protection from suit and accountability.’
Sidebar: The VFA, A History of Abuses
The VFA, A History of Abuses
By RONALYN OLEA Bulatlat.com Eleven years of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has resulted in many incidents of abuses. Here are some: On July 25, 2002, Buyong-buyong Isnijal was shot at by American solder Sgt. Reggie Lane inside his home in barangay Canas, Tuburan, Basilan. Lane was with soldiers of the 18th Infantry Battalion who…
LFS Tells Noynoy as he leaves for the US: RP is Not For Sale (PR)
PRESS RELEASE September 20, 2010 “We serve a word of warning to the President – the country is not for sale to the United States. He better not sign trade and other executive agreements that would makes our people worse off.” This was the statement Terry Ridon, national chairperson of the League of Filipino Students…
Stop US Intervention, VFA Out Now!
Press Release September 15, 2010 Cotabato City – The US government and its excessive global war on terror is impetus to the uproar surrounding the planned construction of an Islamic centre near ‘Ground Zero’ in New York City, according to Moro group Suara. Suara spokesperson, Michael Dumamba, says the disproportionate and indiscriminate US military campaign…