Gabriela Solon Hits Military Atrocities in Bicol, Renews Call to Terminate US-RP VFA

Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women's Party Rep.Liza Maza today denounced the intensive military operations and grenade firing conducted by the 901st Brigade of the Philippine Army in Bgy.Balanac, Ligao City in Bicol Region last February 18 that killed a one year and four-months old girl Rafaela Polborido and severely injured six other children aged 10 months to 9 years old and three mothers as their houses and properties were burned and destroyed.

"This military atrocity victimizing our women and children is nefarious and we express our strongest condemnation to this. As always, the innocent civilians have become easy targets of the military whenever they conduct their military operations." Maza lamented.

“The bitter experiences of the Polborido and Dalima family have placed the whole community under threat and trauma especially the children. Because their houses were burned and bombed, they are now dislocated. Out of deep fear and apprehension that they might be the next victims of this violence, students and teachers alike are forced to stop going to school” Maza added.

According to reports, the clearing operations conducted by the 901st Brigade-PA were done in preparation for the Balikatan exercises particularly in Ligao City including Libon, Pio Duran, Guinobatan and Camalig, Albay.

"The forthcoming Balikatan exercises indisputably spell doom for the people in Bicol. Even before it actually started, these joint Balikatan exercises have already victimized innocent civilians. As long as the Arroyo administration continues to embrace the US-RP
Visiting Forces Agreement, our communities will experience tremendous fear as violations of human rights are committed with all impunity," Maza said.

Maza firmly stressed the urgency of terminating the US-RP VFA given that this agreement between the US and the Philippines has placed our country in constant detriment.
"More than surrendering the national sovereignty, this government is guilty of endangering the lives of its people," the solon added.

The Gabriela Solon will join the Bicolanos in the People's Caravan Against Balikatan in the Bicol Region this week to oppose the entry of US troops for the said military exercises.