From 2018 to 2024, research group Ibon Foundation has seen the most number of participating countries through the Balikatan Exercises. In this year’s Balikatan, 17 countries participated — a large number compared to the 2018 Balikatan which only involved four countries.
Progressive groups said the Filipino people will not benefit from the increased US military presence in the country, urging the public to never forget the horrors that the American troops have committed under the lopsided military deals.
A closer look reveals how VFA and the constant presence of US soldiers have been detrimental, subjecting Filipino women to gender-based abuses.
The Visiting Forces Agreement is in “full force again” as President Rodrigo Duterte recalled his earlier order to terminate the lopsided military pact between the Philippine and US government.
"...[w]hile elderly and sickly prisoners continue to be denied humanitarian release amid a deadly pandemic, Duterte has granted absolute pardon to a transphobic murderer, who has not shown an iota of remorse for his brutal crime.”
“During this 180-day transition period, the Filipino people must remain vigilant against any reversal by the Philippine Government or any intervention by the US government.”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. unwittingly said something at odds with what his boss, President Rodrigo Duterte, has been saying since he came to power in 2016. The Philippines, “Teddy Boy” declared during a reception last July 4, the 243rd...
“Let me state it publicly here and now, wala akong problema sa America (I have no problem with America)… We remain to be the best of friends with America.” That’s what President Duterte said a day before flying to Vietnam Wednesday for his first face-to-face...
This is the second time that a US soldier is able to elude justice for committing a heinous crime against Filipino citizens here in our very own country.
By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star The best step to quickly resolve the many questions why the Mamasapano operation ended in tragedy is for President Aquino to forthrightly assume responsibility as President and Commander-in-Chief. If and when...
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld The Aquino government, most especially the Philippine military, has displayed nothing but disdain and absolute lack of sympathy for the kin of murdered transgender woman Jennifer Laude as well as her German...
By LUIS V. TEODORO Vantage Point | BusinessWorld Olongapo City prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos declared the other day during the preliminary investigation of the murder charge against Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton of the United States Marine Corps...
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld Much to the consternation of US and Philippine officialdom, the brutal killing of Jennifer Laude by suspect Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton has placed the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)...
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld Now we know why the "negotiations" for what would emerge as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) were conducted under a cloak of secrecy. Not a single byte of the draft was made available to other...
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld This April, during the much-awaited visit of US President Barack Obama, Philippine President BS Aquino will be serving nothing less than our national sovereignty and dignity on a silver platter via the new...
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld The Philippine government’s quick and, some say harsh, handling of the crew of a grounded Chinese fishing vessel at the Tubbataha Reefs, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a protected marine reserve by Philippine...
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
"It's not a question of who dumped the toxic waste. The question is whose toxic waste was dumped into our territory. Though Glenn Defense remains accountable for the act, the biggest accountability goes to the US and Aquino governments." – Rep. Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela Women's Party
By MARYA SALAMAT
“We do not need the government to once again sell out our sovereignty.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
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