May 27, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the Senate ratification of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. The ten-year implementation of the VFA has vindicated many of its original critics which included lawyers, church groups, activists and lawmakers. Indeed, the past ten years have shown us the utter lopsidedness of this agreement, as well as the many abuses arising from its implementation.
We have seen how thousands of US troops have gone in and out of the Philippines in the name of the “war on terror”. We have seen how some of them have been staying in the country indefinitely, since 2002, under the guise of humanitarian missions and trainings. We are concerned with the interventionist operations being launched by US Special Forces in the country which are banned by the Philippine constitution. We are concerned with the virtually permanent presence of foreign troops even after the termination of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement.
We have noted the injuries to human life, damage to property and disruption of livelihood as a result of the Balikatan war games throughout the country.
We have seen how under the provisions of the VFA, the standards of Justice are applied differently to erring American troops. We know that one convicted rapist, a US Marine, was acquitted because of the pressure on Philippine government to preserve the VFA. And this was after the US Marine was accorded special treatment using the provisions of the VFA.
We know too that despite the claims of the indispensability of the VFA because of the alleged benefits derived from it, the AFP remains backward and undeveloped, and the country remains no safer than it was before the VFA.
Ten years of the VFA has revealed to us many things. It has shown us how sovereignty is incompatible with the prolonged presence of foreign troops. It has shown us how our legal processes can be undermined by diplomatic considerations.
On the 10th anniversary of the VFA, let us reaffirm our adherence to national sovereignty, independence and human rights. Let us come together to demand the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement and for an end to the continuing US military presence in the Philippines.
We’re inviting you to a cultural activity and protest action on May 27 at the Baywalk in front of the Rajah Sulaiman Plaza in Roxas Boulevard in Manila from 4pm to 8pm. The activity hopes to bring together advocates and defenders of national sovereignty as well as concerned artists and performers. Let us continue to raise our voice against foreign intervention. Let us continue to unite for genuine freedom for the Philippines.
JUNK VFA MOVEMENT
We have seen how thousands of US troops have gone in and out of the Philippines in the name of the “war on terror”. We have seen how some of them have been staying in the country indefinitely, since 2002, under the guise of humanitarian missions and trainings. We are concerned with the interventionist operations being launched by US Special Forces in the country which are banned by the Philippine constitution. We are concerned with the virtually permanent presence of foreign troops even after the termination of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement.
We have noted the injuries to human life, damage to property and disruption of livelihood as a result of the Balikatan war games throughout the country.
We have seen how under the provisions of the VFA, the standards of Justice are applied differently to erring American troops. We know that one convicted rapist, a US Marine, was acquitted because of the pressure on Philippine government to preserve the VFA. And this was after the US Marine was accorded special treatment using the provisions of the VFA.
We know too that despite the claims of the indispensability of the VFA because of the alleged benefits derived from it, the AFP remains backward and undeveloped, and the country remains no safer than it was before the VFA.
Ten years of the VFA has revealed to us many things. It has shown us how sovereignty is incompatible with the prolonged presence of foreign troops. It has shown us how our legal processes can be undermined by diplomatic considerations.
On the 10th anniversary of the VFA, let us reaffirm our adherence to national sovereignty, independence and human rights. Let us come together to demand the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement and for an end to the continuing US military presence in the Philippines.
We’re inviting you to a cultural activity and protest action on May 27 at the Baywalk in front of the Rajah Sulaiman Plaza in Roxas Boulevard in Manila from 4pm to 8pm. The activity hopes to bring together advocates and defenders of national sovereignty as well as concerned artists and performers. Let us continue to raise our voice against foreign intervention. Let us continue to unite for genuine freedom for the Philippines.
JUNK VFA MOVEMENT
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